Georgia
Water source information
Info on the status of water sources in Georgia:
Georgia A.T. Club - Water Sources & Availability
Caution Advised in Georgia Post Hurricane Irma
(Updated 02/21/18) While most areas with hurricane damage have been cleared, hikers are advised that hazards will remain even if all the blowdowns have been cleared. It takes a long time for conditions to stabilize after a serious weather event like Irma. Be very careful in choosing places to camp, including at or in shelters. Look up and around out to a couple of tree lengths in distance to be sure your shelter or campsite is not threatened by broken limbs, widow makers or leaning or damaged trees.
Amicalola Falls State Park - Free Classes for Thru-hikers
(Updated 03/20/18) Free half-hour classes designed to help northbound thru-hikers #startwell are offered daily at the Amicalola Falls Visitor Center from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm through April. One-on-one pack "shakedowns" to help hikers make good decisions about what to carry and reduce packweight are also available. Classes are open to all. More information can be found here.
Unicoi Gap - Vandalism
(09/06/17) Theft of windshield wipers and a car battery reported occurring here on 9/5/17. The owner of one car was an overnight hiker; it is not known how long the other vehicle was parked.
Bears in Georgia—Respect the Wildlife
(08/16/17) Nimblewill Gap to Hightower Gap, including Black Gap Shelter, Springer Mountain Shelter, Hawk Mountain Campsite and Shelter: Hikers are advised to be bear aware since black bears in the area are exhibiting behavior that they have been habituated to human food. In addition to following the ATC recommendation to carry a bear canister, hikers should never leave packs unattended, should store food and other "smellables" in bear boxes provided, and are advised to hang packs on bear cables at shelters so they are not carried away.
Bear canisters seasonally required for camping between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap
(unknown date - present) A new U.S. Forest Service rule requires approved bear-resistant storage containers for overnight camping on a 5-mile stretch of the A.T. in the Chattahoochee National Forest between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap, between March 1 and June 1 each year. This stretch is located between points 26.7 and 31.7 miles north of the southern terminus of the A.T. at Springer Moutain, Georgia, and includes Woods Hole Shelter, Slaughter Creek Campsite, and Blood Mountain Shelter. “Bear canisters” should be used to store food, food containers, garbage and toiletries. For more information, call the Chattahoochee - Oconee National Forest at (770) 297-3000.