Mar 3

DAY #1
START LOCATION: Springer Mountain Shelter
FINISH LOCATION: Hawk Mountain Shelter
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 7.6
TRIP MILEAGE: 7.8

It was a bitter cold and windy night on Springer.  I was bundled well and pretty warm, but I could barely get a lick of sleep. I did get a few solid hours in the wee morning. Of the shelter tenants, I left last to depart at around 10:45 AM. Met a fun couple coming in, that i dubbed "The Stoners", who were trying to locate a ride. They werent digging the 8" snow. I'd met a nice shuttle driver at Amicalola that gave me his info which I passed on to them.  

I was expecting warmer temps and lots of sun during today's hike, but it ended up overcast with a couple sun breaks early. It didn't get much above freezing either. It wasn't snowing and windy like yesterday, so that was good. Net descent today, which was nice. Made good time in the morning and stopped for lunch and privy break at vacant Stover Creek Shelter... A palace. Wished I'd stayed there last night. Lots and lots of snow-downed and sagging trees in the middle 3 miles or so. I was duckwalking beneath or scrambling over the messes for more than half the trip. Hawk Mountain made for a tough climb in the snow, but it wasn't huge mileage today, so it was fine. 

Hawk mtn shelter is tiny, and there's about 8 people here, so I decided to tent for the first time. I'm digging this much better. Its quiet, warm and I don't have to worry about tripping over someone if I have to pee tonight. 

Took some nice pics today. Hopefully upload them soon.

-n8dog