And so it begins!

T+1 (March 19, 2020)
So, there's been a MAJOR change of plans. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the ATC strongly recommended against thru-hikers starting trips and further recommended thru-hikers already on the trail get off of it and return home. For those people who do decide to start their thru-hike, they recommended initiating at some point other than the North or South termini - so as to avoid other hikers along the trail.
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I have ignored their recommendation and have initiated my thru-hike. That said, I did heed their advice and canceled my travel down to Georgia. Instead, I have begun my trip from Pennsylvania - Delaware Water Gap (mile 1296) to be precise...I’m now heading south to Springer Mountain and should I make it there I will return to Delaware Water Gap and head north to Katahdin.

Considering all that is happening in the "real world" I would be VERY surprised if I make it to Springer - nonetheless Katahdin. Hell, I'm not even sure if I'll be able to resupply in the next town, or the town after that. Oh well, I've stressed out over the decision to get on the trail enough over the last few weeks, I should leave resupply anxieties for another day!

​Anyway, I've got enough food for 4+ days, so I will be able to get a decent section hike
in at the very least. The current plan is to stop in Palmerton, PA (mile 1260) for a resupply. I should be able to make it there by Sun. the 22nd. We'll see!

Ok, so enough about the plans - time for the juicy stuff...the hike itself! As I said above, I started the day off at Delaware Water Gap. My wife drove me there and doo ed me off at about 1PM. Once we said off goodbyes I headed up Mountain Road on the AT. The “trail” heads up to a parking lot, then runs along I-80 for quite a way. It didn't take long for the trail to turn into an actual green tunnel through a stand of rhododendrons!

Not too many views today - it was overcast, foggy, and lightly drizzling at times. Managed to make it to the southern end of the Wolf Rocks cut off (mile 1268.8). That means I hiked 9.2 miles in a bit over 4 hours. Not bad considering my lack of training and the annoyingly rocky
terrain! Also didn't have too many problems setting up camp. The biggest issue was getting the tent stakes to stay in the ground with all of the rocks around. Well, that and dealing with the iPad, which didn't want to pair with the pencil...working now after a half hour of futzing about with them.

It's an hour past hiker midnight, so I'll leave things there and perhaps make a feeble attempt at posting this, but the cell signal is shit where I set up camp. Fingers crossed for a good connection!

UPDATE: The connection sucked, so I went to sleep. Rainy and cold (high 30s) overnight, but I was nice and toasty, YAY!!