So, let me set the stage for this hike.
It is the warm-up hike taking you to the Southern Terminus of the
daunting 2k+ mile trip north that thousands of people set off to take
on annually. I cannot speak for the rest of the trail, but this
section is tough. Georgia doesn't have massive mountains like the
west coast, we just have rolling hills. Lots of them. Springer
mountain is about 8 miles from the top of the falls and only about
1500 feet higher. Sounds easy right? Its not. The hills are killer.
That 1500 feet of elevation gain is coupled with a multitude of
500-1000 foot hills that you have to conquer first. Without trekking
poles or any clue as to what I was doing, it was tough. I hiked for a
a few hours playing leapfrog with a few groups, none larger than 5.
Myself, being the introvert I am, gave a half hearted greeting and
carried on my way. Eventually I came across a hill that really made
me question what I was doing out here. I dubbed that hill “Strong
Quads and Trekking Poles” as you would need both to summit it
comfortably. I had neither.
Shortly after said hill I stopped for
lunch. Spoke with a young family who was out on an overnighter like
me. I said I would see them at Springer and carried on. I played leap
frog with a few groups again for the next couple hours until I made
it to my final hill. Springer Mountain. Atop that hill was where I
planned to sleep for the night. With the idea that I was almost
finished I put my head down and took on the beast. The 1000 feet of
elevation in under a mile was as expected. Daunting. My legs were
throbbing from being worked harder than they had in recent history as
I kept on. I made it to the top. I dropped my pack and enjoyed the
view for a few minutes. I was not alone at the peak. About a dozen
folks where chilling in hammocks or sitting on logs, all of them in
their little groups. I found two trees that were adequately spaced
and strung up my hammock.
Just a quick primer on my hammock and
sleeping system in general. My hammock was made from a banquet
tablecloth. Taffeta nylon to be specific. My homemade hammock was
fastened to the tree with straps cut from tie downs (more on that
later) and in the case of rain, I had a 8x10 tarp from wally world.
Anyhow. I had tested all of my gear in the yard. I have trees that
are great for hanging between, They are however on the small side as
far as diameter is concerned. Expecting the trees on the trail to be
thicker, I made a new tree strap from a different strap than the ones
I had been using in the yard. Now that we are caught up. Back to the
mountain.
I was hanging in my hammock, enjoying
the view and coming to grips with what I had just accomplished. Yes
it was a minor accomplishment perhaps, but a win is a win. Suddenly
and violently my new hammock strap snaps and I plummet to earth.
Luckily I learned enough from the hammock forums that there are two
rules to hammocking. 1. you will fall and 2. never hang higher than
you are willing to fall. I wasn't but 2 feet off the ground, but I
for sure landed hard on my back, and with a busted sleep system and a
bruised ego, I packed up and headed down the mountain. Looking back,
I knew at the time that I would be fine and I could have stayed and
slept atop Springer Mountain as planned, but my pride hurt and I
don't care too much for crowds.
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