China resident sets out to hike the Appalachian Trail

Toni Wall with other hikers. (contributed photo)

Submitted by Toni Wall

First installment

Toni Wall, a resident of China, and a member of the planning board, has embarked on a trek along the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine.

The first leg of the journey was the 1,236 mile drive from China, Maine, to Dawsonville, Georgia. Toni Wall and her husband Glen met Rose Silvia and her son, in Concord, New Hampshire, where she said goodbye to Glen and continued the journey to Georgia.

China resident Toni Wall at the beginning of her trek up the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia. (contributed photo)

The rest are notes from Toni’s hike:

We arrived at Amicalola State Park on February 12 where we met Cindy Cote Pickering, fellow Appalachian Trail (AT) hiker, and we recieved our Appalachian Trail hiking credentials. I’m registered as hiker #163.

On February 13 we started the AT at Amicaloa State Park using the approach trail to Spring Mountain, the southern terminus of the AT. At Stover Creek Shelter we met Rad from the Netherlands who is studying to be an English teacher, Just Will, a former Marine, and Mike from, Monson. Total mileage – 11.6.

On February 14 morning the temperature was 19 degrees. Stover Creek Shelter to Gooch Shelter, 12.9 miles. There, we met Matt, from Durham; we nicknamed him Hot Chili Pepper because of his sleeping quilt, Red, from Georgia and several others.

On February 15, we walked from Gooch Shelter to Woods Hole Shelter. At mile 20.5 we met Fresh Ground, from Leap Frog Café, who meets hikers along the trail from Springer Mountain to Maine. He was making eggs, bacon, pancakes and coffee. Yes, we indulged even though we ate breakfast before leaving the shelter. We hope to meet him again at Fontana Dam, North Carolina. I hiked with Bridges, aka Ryan, a former airman who served in Baghdad. At Woods Hole Shelter we ran into Hot Chili Pepper and Red, plus a few others, still trying to remember names. Total mileage that day – 12 miles.

On February 16, the leg was from Woods Hole Shelter to Neel Gap, time for resupply, shower and laundry. Total distance, 39 miles.