Welcome to Helen.

Yesterday we decided to get up and out of camp as early as we could and try to hike into town as fast as possible. We had to go into town because we were getting our first mail drop there. We were about 9 and a half miles away from the road. We left at 8 and got there about 1. We made great time. We originally thought we were going to have to hitch-hike into the town but we made a reservation at a best western that said they would come pick us up. It took them and hour to finally come get us but it was better then hitching. While we waited we met a family that was day hiking and they ended up giving us and a few other through hikers all the food they had brought for themselves to eat. People around the trail are so nice.
We got everything done in town we needed and we are hitting the trail again today! We'll keep you posted!

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When bears attack!

Yesterday we got up at the hostel we were staying at and they cooked us a wonderful breakfast, then dropped us off at the trail. My knee has been really bothering me so we took a really easy day. We ended up stopping at a shelter and eating lunch and stayed the rest of the night. Our tent was still wet from the day before (it was the only thing we couldn't dry at the hostel) so we decided to take it easy and spend the rest of the sunshine drying it. Austin had a great idea to sting it up from the bear cables to let it dry. (See picture)
By later afternoon most of our friends that we have met so far had made it to the shelter and we had a great evening. Everyone knew it was going to rain again that night. The shelter was really small so it only fit the 6 of us younger people. The other 5 or so people were all in a group together and hung hammocks over by the bear cables. We all hung our food and went to bed. It stormed really bad at night and in the morning we heard a big clang but didn't think anything of it cause the storm was so bad. Little while later one of the hammock folk came over and told us a huge black bear had been in our camp and taken some bags off the cables. He said it was the biggest bear he had seen. He called it "zoo sized". He also said that when it was done it ran off into the woods just past were we where sleeping.
We all hurried to go see who's bags were gone and go figure it was Austin's. We spent the whole morning cleaning up the trash and packing up. We didn't have anything to eat for breakfast cause the bear ate all our cold breakfast and a stove broke the night before so not hot stuff either. Good thing we were only 3 miles away from a resupply that has an outfitter in it! So we were able to buy everything we needed and keep going.
Sorry no picture on my phone of the bear mess. But I got plenty on my big camera! And I have a big hole in my food bag from where the bear tried to get mine too. But it still works for now. Hopefully stopping in town in the next few days for our mail drop!
Still happy and still having the time of our lives! (Just maybe a little cold)

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promised photos...

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First few days

Im going to have to make this brief because we have to get in bed. But out first few days have been great! The approach trail wasn't as bad as people had made it out to be and we felt good about it. First night on the mountain was a cold one and our tent and food bags were covered in ice in the morning. Second days was beautiful but we had a late start so we took it easy. Today we planed on heaving a big day (10ish miles) so we were gonna get up early. We woke up to rain.... we packed and headed out as fast as we could. Rain quickly turned into a thunder and lightning storm. We ended up pushing alot father then we planned so we could get a shuttle to a hostle and have a warm bed for the night. We walked 12 miles in the rain. It was a hard very cold day. More on that later tho I have to get some rest!

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In Georgia!

Well we made it to Georgia with no problems. We had some worry about our packs getting damaged in the flight. We ended up putting them in huge trash bags to protect them. Austin's pack came back with alot of holes in his trash bag, so it was a good thing we did it.
When we got in we had to take a train from the airport all the way across atlanta to where we were getting picked up. The train ride was long but exciting.
A guy named survivor dave picked us up (and gave us fuel for free!). He was really nice and helped us with alot of details. He dropped us off at the lodge at the bottom of springer mt where we are staying tonight and tomorrow we start our long climb to the top! The actual trail doesn't start till we get to the top of the mountain and we hear its a long hard climb.
Wish us luck! Off to the buffet for one last big meal!

(Pic is us on the train)

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Getting ready!!

So we have less the a week until we fly to Georgia! So we are getting down to the wire. We have been dehydrating meals and buying our gear. Thought I would show a little of what we have ready. So excited!!

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