25 March – Black Gap to Hawk Mountain Campsite

Came up and over Springer Mountain and stopped at the top to see the even more iconic plaques at the peak of Springer Mountain (the historic and real start point of the venture- I’ll explain when I get back!)   Sustained ice rain began shortly after I left Springer.   But, though my legs/quads were on fire, I marionetted onwards.  Drinking tons of water.   With rain coming late afternoon I bailed out into Hawk Mountain campsite versus Shelter.  Got a good spot, set up in time for the rain and was in the sleeping bag as it got dark when the torrents began.  Hellfire storm, with protracted lightning flashes, thunder, sudden hail, and, I kid you not- machine gun fire.  So, as I’m laying there, another hiker walked by and saw my light on in my tent and asked over if the machine gun fire worried me.  Nope. ” Why, do you know what it is?”  Yep.  “What?”  It is U.S. Army Ranger School, Mountaineering Phase, in progress this fine evening.  You see, 35 years ago, to this month, I was myself a student at this very school, training in this very stretch of the Chatahootchee National Forest,  and they still train right here and you just heard a Raid in progress.   The kid was amazed, and stood outside my tent asking me all about it for awhile.  We had a good laugh and he ambled on.  Fitful night of sleep due to the cold (still haven’t caved in to getting a ‘puffy’ jacket) and my legs adjusting. In the morning as I went downhill to get water for the day’s hike, I passed this same guy’s tent and we talked in the morning light for awhile.  His name is Nate and he is an Outward Bound Instructor for the Everglades portion.  Of course I pumped him all about that course and what he does there -it was fascinating, and he wanted to know more about my Army training,  and we talked all about the AT as well.   Then I was off . . .