I’ll be driving my buddy Ben down to the fine state of Georgia to see him off on his February 1st start date. However, where is the AT trail register that you sign indicating when and what number you are when you start? Some have said it is at Amicalola, and others advise it is on Springer at the start of the AT. Does anyone know? Thanks.
Andy Brown
The visitors center at amicola keeps a big list of all the hikers although I don’t know if you got a number. When I was there it was more the number for that day.
There is a register for Springer. I totally missed it. I can’t remember if you open the sign on the rock and there it is or if it is somewhere else. Isn’t there a shelter on Springer? Maybe that is all that people have signed. Not really sure as the excitement of being there took over and I totally didn’t think about signing anything and forgot to pick up my stone to carry all the way to Katahdin. Don’t let him forget that!
Blip
The register is actually in a mailbox on the side of the rock in front of the plaque. Hard to see though. If you are coming up the approach trail you will walk right up to it.
John
www.jekco.com
papa john
There’s a register at Amicalola Falls Visitors Center that you can sign 24/7. This one doesn’t give you the #.
There’s the “official” register, which I somehow completely missed, up near the AT plaque.
Make sure you sign in! I didn’t sign it, and considered it to be an omen for my hike, considering I didn’t finish this year!
I’m signing it next time!
bearbait
isn’t there 2 plaques at springer…one at the overlook and another one that rests 100 ft away on a huge shaped rock. On this second one, look at the right side of the rock and there is what looks like an aluminum easy bake oven, open it up and there is a notebook…bring a pen, someone could have taken it.
odd how much you forget after being there 3 times. seems to me the 1st plaque is the AT hiker taking his first step, and then you can actually step on your first blazed rock for your 3rd step maybe…but/and to your right from this blaze is the rock plaque with register maybe 50-100 ft away This plaque is the map of the trail…if you forgot your map, just pry that sucker loose and tote it with ya to MAINE.
burn
Andy Brown said something about getting a number when one registers for the Trail. Is this an official number? Is it used along the AT as one heads North? Do people from Katahdin have a SB Number? What if you don’t get a number?
Skylander
Skylander
No need to register anything. There is no “official number”. The trail is there for everyone to enjoy. Just start walking and relish in God’s creation.
kaya
Here’s a couple pics from Springer last April. The first one is the plaque on the rock which contains the register under the right side. The next shows the second plaque and the first plaque behind it.
Http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=36244
Http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=36245
Nooga
http://wsdh.net/images/NOOGA.jpg
Here is where the “register” is, nothing more than a notebook, not sure who gets to keep it or what it is good for.
Thanks for the pic Nooga!
John
www.jekco.com
papa john
I think the GATC check in on it and replace it when it’s full. It’s quite a bizzar find if you weren’t sure it was there and knew nothing of it’s existence (which we didn’t). My buddy saw it first, we both “signed in” and headed off.
Ross
Ross
Thanks everyone for answering my question. I’m sure we won’t screw it up now when were at Springer in a few days.
Andy
Andy, make sure that Ben doesn’t forget that stone, now. And don’t let him get all macho about picking out a big one. One or two pounds is plenty…
Ardsgaine
The first half way decent count of starters is at Neals Gap in the Mountain Crossings Outfitters store. There is book, with pictures and numbers if they are somewhat important to you.
Amicolola often miscounts thruhikers because lots of people sign that book… not just AT Thruhikers And not everyone does the approach trail… so hikers don’t always go down to the vistors center.
Last year all through Feb and March the box at Springer was full of ice. There was a register frozen into the block of ice!
I don’t think your start number is so important but I do believe this… Every year, more hikers are making it farther. Good Luck!
Miss Janet
