Day six

Saturday March 4, 2017

Back on the trail at Neel Gap at 8:00 A.M., the frozen trail crunching beneath my boots and the sun not yet above the far Ridge. The temperature was around 25° F. The climb up Levelland Mt  was not an easy climb but I had had a night in a warm bed and a good hot meal the night before so I was able to make the climb without too much difficulty. I made the summit just as the sum was cresting the far Ridge. The low sun causing the bare winter trees to cast long black shadows across the brown forest floor. And all along the trail were patches of ice crystals. The crystals were perhaps 2 to 3 inches long and perfectly formed. At one point I saw an entire bank covered in these crystals.  They caught the morning light and glistened like diamonds.

Most of the day was spent ridge hiking with vistas on both sides. This was the first day that I have experienced this.

Late morning I had to make the climb up Cowrock Mountain and the even longer descent down the backside to Tesnatee Gap. This was another exhausting climb but when I reached the Gap and the Russell Hwy there was trail magic waiting. A couple of trail angles had a grill set up and we’re serving burgers, hotdogs, chips, and soft drinks. They even had chocolate bars for dessert. I had one of each, lying back on my pack and gorging myself. After resting, visiting and thanking them profusely I was on my way again.

It was a good thing that I had the trail magic because the climb up Wildcat Mountain was going to be the steepest climb of the day. But just over the ridge of that mountain was Whitley Gap shelter where I planned to stop for the night. When I got to the fork with the blue blaze trail to the shelter, it said that it was 1.2 miles to the shelter. That’s 1.2 miles down to the shelter and 1.2 miles back to the spot where I was standing tomorrow morning. And I didn’t even plan to stay in the shelter. I was only going for the water. Well there was supposed to be water at Hogpen Gap just below me and that 2.4 miles was half way to the next shelter so I decided to press on.

And when I got down to Hogpen Gap there was more trail magic! Another couple of trail angles was serving hot homemade soup, hot coffee, fruit, warm homemade cookies, and milk. I asked if they also had water and they sail of course. I asked if I could fill my water bottle and they said no problem. After filling my water bottle, I had a banana, a cookie, and two big glasses of milk, I was on my way again. It was another 4.7 miles on to the next shelter (Low Gap) but it looked like a fairly easy hike.

So that is where I am now, Low Gap shelter. The sun has just dropped below the western mountains. My tent is pitched, my food is hung up on the bear cables, and my water bottles are filled for tomorrow. The water bottles will have to go into my sleeping bag tonight so they don’t freeze. Temps are supposed to drop into the mid 20’s tonight.

Today was my longest day, 11.5 miles. I would not have made that distance without the kindness of strangers. I’m tired, I’m cold, and my feet hurt but there is nowhere I would rather be than this little piece of earth where my butt is sitting right now. This is why I came out here.

42.9 miles down      2146.9 miles to go

Day seven

Sunday March 5, 2017

Today I thought I might have an easy day. Looking at the elevation profile in the trail guide it didn’t look difficult at all. And it started out easy but that didn’t last long. The trail quickly turned rocky. And by rocky I mean nothing but rock. The trail hug along the mountain side and in places I was only able to use one trekking pole because the other was held out in space where the mountain dropped away. And the rocks sometimes moved beneath my feet. All in all another exhausting day.

But the night should be much better. I have my tent pitched near the Blue Mountain shelter. I’ve hiked back down to the spring and filled my water bottles. My sleeping bag is laid out in my tent and the night is forecast to be a warm one, 45° compared to 25° last night.

I’m sitting on a log in the late afternoon sun writing this. Tomorrow I will get a ride into Helen, GA. for a shower, a hot meal, and wash my dirty trail clothes. Rain is forecast for tomorrow night and Tuesday. I may take my first zero day on Tuesday to miss the rain and recharge my batteries.

 50.2 miles down      2139.6 miles to go