[at-l] Kelty Cloud??? and conditions on the A.T. in Georgia

[lvb@mindspring.com (Linda Benschop)]

I was feeling sad because I couldn't make it to the Women Hiker's Gathering
this weekend.  Just didn't work out...bummer!  But we had a great hike here
in the North Georgia Mountains over the weekend and ran into a woman
thruhiker from California with a new Kelty Cloud backpack.  I have to have
one!!!  It only weighs a pound and has all kinds of extras.  It looks so
comfortable.

The trail was crowded with thruhikers and the three shelters in the Springer
area (Springer, Stover Creek and Hawk Mt.) were packed with, not only
thruhikers, but kids from a private school in Florida (all packing very
expensive, new and heavy gear).  There were also at least two large groups
of boy scouts.  It was such fun conversing with the folks starting out.  I
can hardly wait....now it is LESS than 2 years from my turn!  I am still
shivering from the magic of the trail!!

Wanted to let you know that FS42 is passable, but really rough.  FS58, which
the rangers at Amicolola said was hardly passable, was actually better than
FS42.

Dogwood Festival here in Atlanta next weekend so no chance of hiking then.
Anyone in the North Georgia area interested in a hike some day this week?
Let me know!

Hummingbird