Hawk to Gooch

Trek to Gooch Mountain Shelter!

Today Sara and I hiked 8 miles from Hawk Mountain Shelter to Gooch Mountain Shelter. Had to cross over some creeks and mountains but it wasn't bad at all. We got to the shelter early enough to pick a spot but didn't really like the crowd staying there so we decided to camp out instead. It's going to be a long rainy night but tomorrow is looking like a beautiful day to hike! I've never slept on the side of a mountain or at such an incline but I guess we'll see how it goes.
With Love,
Max and Sara

Trail Magic!

Today we had our first trail magic experience! On two separate occasions! Someone was passing out juice and doughnuts in the morning at the base of springer and there was a huge setup right before hawk mountain with a pavilion and 3 tables of food. I had a peanut butter honey and banana sandwich, some 7 layer dip, and a handful of peanut butter cups. It was an awesome lunch thanks to the Georgia Adventurers Club!
With Love,
Max

Today was a really awesome first day actually on the AT. The weather was amazing until about an hour ago, but we got a spot in a shelter so we're dry for tonight. It's been so great meeting people and hearing everyone's stories. A few have even thru- hiked in the past! Hopefully tomorrow will be another great day!

Much love,
Sara

The Approach and Springer

Springer Mountain Shelter!

Today we hiked a vigorous 9 mile approach to Springer Mountain which is the official start of the Appalachian Trail!
We met some pretty awesome thru-hikers today. We even got to sit by a fire and share stories with some of them! I'm so tired after today's hike but other than that today has been an amazing trek through some beautiful mountain ranges. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!
With Love,
Max

The Start of the Trail

Sunset at Amicalola Falls

Greetings at Amicalola

The Falls

600 steps on the Approach Trail

Amicalola Falls, Georgia!

Finally arrived at Amicalola Falls today! It feels so great to be at the starting point of the Appalachian trail. It's definitely been a long time coming. Today we got to hike a short distance of the approach which travels up and around the falls. It is so beautiful here and is just the icing on the cake of what is yet to come. We are staying at a cabin for the next day with Sara's parents then it's finally time to hit the trail! Our starting date is now official, Friday the 29th. I can hardly explain the way I feel being in Georgia so close to the beginning of our journey. Watching the sunset today really made it clear that Sara and I are in the right place.
With Love,
Max

The 46R

A few days ago Sara and I went on a practice hike in Bear Mountain! We met this very interesting guy named Greg, who has been an avid hiker for years and is part of two prestigious hiking clubs, The 46Rs, and the 3500 club. He gave us a lot of advice and shared some cool stories. We hope to see hope to one day do some adirondack hikes with him some day!

Savannah, Georgia

The last stop before we head to Amicalola Falls and the start of the trail. Yesterday we rode 14 hours to get here, which wasn't too bad, considering Max and I slept most of the way. It's really nice to be here. I've seen my friends from school, and I've had fun showing Max all of the places I used to go when I lived here. And even though I was only here 10 weeks, I've really missed here, especially Forsyth Park. It's the best place to just sit in the sun, relax, and draw. I'm glad we got to stop here before the trail. Savannah has this magic to it, and old world kind of charm, and I'm glad to be here.
Though I can't get the trail out of my head. Only two more days!
Much Love,
Sara

Our Gear!

Here's all our gear! It's divided by person,Max on the right and Sara on the left split by the walking sticks.
Sara's Pack
Cutie pie sleeping bag
NeoAir Trekker sleeping pad
Patagonia down jacket
Patagonia fleece jacket
Patagonia torrent shell rain jacket
Polyester tank top
Zip off cargo pant
Long Johns
2 bandannas
Shammy cloth
Sanitizer wipes
Wool hiking socks
Insect net hat
Baseball cap
Med-kit
Toiletries
Headlamp
Trowel
Spork
Lightweight wallet
Dr bronner soap
Sunscreen
50 ft cordage
Carribeaner
Gloves
Beanie
Tarptent

Max's Pack
Big antes Lone Ranger sleeping bag
Xlite sleeping pad
Sierra Design down jacket
REI fleece jacket
REI rainwall jacket
Polyester shirts
Long johns
Hiking socks
Jetboil stove
Fuel
Pack cover
Sawyer water filter
Camelbak
Insect net hat
Headlamp
Tear aid
Fire starter
Protein and vitamins
Toiletries
3 bear bags

That's it! I might've missed a few little things. Now it's time to get packed and hit the sack before a long drive tomorrow!
With Love,
Max

About SARA!

Hey there, I'm Sara, 19 years old and from Long Island, NY. I have wanted thru-hike the Appalachian Trail ever since I was young. I spent a lot of my childhood camping as a Girl Scout, and the summers at camp, enjoying the simpler things in life. Nature and companionship. Hiking the trail, for me, is all about getting back to those values. It is about wanting and needing less. It is about doing what makes me happy, even if it isn't considered normal by traditional societal standards. This journey is extremely important to me, and I am very grateful to be sharing the experience with Max.

I am very bad at writing this sort of thing, and I'm going to leave it at that.

Much love,
Sara

Apartments Packed!

Everything I own except a few outfits, my guitars, and my heavy bag are all packed up! My apartment is so bare and I kind of love it. Its almost purifying to just purge all this stuff, even though most of it is clothes. This weekend Im going to see my family and friends one last time before I go. After that it's go time. The only thing I will have are the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities!
With Love,
Max

This is MAX!

About Max!

Maxwell is the name, and I'm a pretty average outdoorsy person. Im turning 21 very soon and unfortunately have very few life experiences. I was born and raised in upstate New York in the small town of Poughkeepsie just 20 minutes away from lake Minowaska near New Paltz. Ever since i was a youngin' I have always really like being outside. Whether it was walks in the woods with my father or just swinging on the swingset in my backyard I alway found myself at ease and blissful. I very passionate in general. I love music, martial arts, film, and the natural art of the world. I've known about the trail for a few years but this past year is when I decided it was something I want to do. In this past year I've gathered as much info as possible about the trail and got all the gear needed. Sara and I hope to make this year an unforgettable one!
With Love,
Max

Hello, Beautiful People!

My name is Max, and I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail! My lovely girlfriend and I have been planning and saving for the past year for the journey of a lifetime; The AT. On March 26th, We plan on taking a 14 hour car ride down south to Georgia's Springer Mountain to get started. We have never been more excited for anything as much as we are for this! Those who may not know the magnitude of this exodus here is a brief description of whats ahead for us; We have a 2,200 mile hike through, across, and under the appalachian mountains! Its going to take 6 months of backpacking, camping, eating, drinking, sleeping, and living in the outdoors. This Blog is to share this experience with all who are interested and to help educate anyone on what to expect and how to do the Trail so that they may one day do it themselves!
 With Love,
Max and Sara