Ben (Zee) Trail Update #1 – Georgia Bound
Kaili and I decided to try to beat out the storm and drove down a day early. By the time we got into Georgia the snow had started coming down in buckets so the Ohio boy took over for the Mississippi girl driving in the snow. It took us an extra 3 hours and some white knuckle creative skidding but we pulled into The HikerHostel around 10pm. Let me tell you this place is awesome! Nice clean bunks and a great atmosphere.
There were about 12 or so hikers staying the night mostly to get out of the storm. There were tales from the week prior forcing folks off the trail with negative temps, hikers being injured by falling ice off of the trees, blow downs and trail closures.
When I woke up this morning I was greeted to a beautiful sunrise over 4 inches of freshly fallen snow on top of the three or so inches they already had. Kaili waited for the temps to rise a few degrees and took off for home. Many hikers headed back out to try to restart or start their hike I am staying in for one more day and let the trail get trampled a bit and the snow fall off the trees.
Weather for the next few days looks spectacular so I should hit the trail walking tomorrow. Hoping the forest road is open so I can avoid the approach trail.
I am using my old trail name from my previous hike Zee (so named because I could catch Zzz’s anywhere any time)
Hopefully my next update will be Neels Gap in a few days!
-Ben
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!
To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.
Comments 3
I want to meet you when you hit maine! congrats on living the way you want to live and good luck starting the trail in the next few days.
ZEE congradulations on the completion of your thru-hike! This is Jared, my family and I ran into you at Amicalola Falls State Park. You are the first thru-hiker we have met and we were all inspired by your completion today. We begin our hike tomorrow morning, our blog is jaredanderikahiketheat.blogspot.com if you are interested. Again, congradulations to you from the Hill and McCollor families and best of luck to you in the future.
Jared Hill.
Good luck on your hike, Ben, and THANK YOU for getting Kaili halfway home safe and sound!