I’m dead tired so this post will be short, but my first day on trail was everything I hoped it would be! Gorgeous scenery, and amazingly, it already feels like a community out here. Encountered so many awesome people on trail and at Springer Mountain Shelter, where I’m staying. A group of us were having a lovely time just hanging out, eating, and chatting at the shelter, and then we all decided to do the short walk back to the top of Springer Mountain to watch the sunset together.

Progress report: today I finished the 8.9 mile Approach Trail, which means I’m officially on the AT. Springer Mountain is the official start of the trail, which means I saw my first white blaze, pictured below.