Spring 2017 AT hike, day #10

Monday, May 22, 2017
Start: Rock Gap
End: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles: 19.8

This morning, I was up at 6:45am, since I'd arranged for a 7:30am shuttle. The hostel owner, Zen/Collin, wasn't ready until around 7:45-8am. He needed coffee so we stopped at a local coffee shop and I got some medium roast coffee with soy milk to start my day. Me and Collin had some great conversations on the way to the trail, talking about politics and different shitty/scary hostels along the trail. We were at Rock Gap (3732') by 8:30am and I hit the trail.

I climbed past Rock Gap Shelter (3772') and Long Branch Shelter (4479') on my way up to Albert Mountain (5250') and the fire tower there. This was my 2,000 mile marker - I've officially hiked 2000 miles of the AT!

From Albert Mountain, I headed down to Betty Creek Gap (4300'), back up to 4921', and stopped at Carter Gal Shelter (4528') for water. I met a NOBO thru hiker from Washington state, and we had good conversations about the current political climate and what it's been like to hike in a much more conservative area than where we live. She was super nice and I gave her some heads up about various hostels where I didn't feel safe. It was a pleasant surprise to have such a nice chat while filtering water.

From the shelter, I descended to Coleman Gap (4221') and then climbed to the top of Standing Indian Mountain (5435'). I arrived at the Standing Indian Shelter (4742') at 4:30pm.

I must have my trail legs because I averaged 2.5 MPH over the course of the day. I was encouraged to hoof it hard for the last 3 or 4 miles due to the number of people I was passing, including a large group of high school seniors. I wanted a spot in the shelter. I got the last space in the shelter that comfortable fits 6; in a dire situation, we could fit maybe 8 horizontal bodies. We've seen one bold mouse running around the shelter area; it sucks at climbing walls - we've watched it try to poorly climb walls and fall. The mouse even barn-door'd (climbing term). The large group of high school seniors ended up tenting here at the shelter and are loudly talking while eating food. I'm bad - I didn't hang a bear bag tonight: it's going to rain, they're waterproof airtight bags, and the kids are making a mess of their food... if there are any bears, they will go for the kids. Or the trash pile by the privy. This privy is hands down the nastiest privy I've seen so far; even the stinky one in the backwoods of Maine.

I was able to get a few bars of Verizon service and called ahead to the Top of Georgia hostel to reserve a bunk for tomorrow and Wednesday nights. I've heard nothing but good things about this hostel and I'm looking forward to it. It'll be a light day miles-wise tomorrow, which is good because it might be raining. I could hear thunder off and on all day, though it rained only a tiny bit today.

Overall, it was a good day. My IT band was well controlled by the strap for most of the day, though towards the end of the day it started hurting a decent bit. I'm currently addressing it by taking NSAIDs, using the brace, and using the rx pain cream twice a day. It only has to make it to Sunday!

Spring 2017 AT hike, day #9

Sunday, May 21, 2017
Start: Tellico Gap
End: Rock Gap
Miles: 23.1

I was up this morning at 6:10am and ready to leave by 7am. Unfortunately, due to some confusion around shuttling this morning, I didn't get to Tellico Gap until around 8:45am. It started raining last night and then poured rain until around 2pm today. Despite the rain, I managed to make some quick miles.

I started at Tellico Gap (3850') and climbed to Rocky Bald (5030') and Copper Ridge Bald (5080'). I then descended to Burningtown Gap (4236'), hiked up to Wayah Bald (5342'), down to Wayah Gap (4180'), up to Siler Bald (5001'), and then down to Winding Stair Gap (3690'). Since I got there at 3:30-ish, I decided to push onward to the next gap. I climbed up to ~4400 and then descended to Rock Gap (3732').

I got to the gap by 4:45pm. Unfortunately, there was intermittent horrible cell service. I did manage to get out a text to the hostel owner around 5:15pm, asking if he was available for a shuttle. I tried to hitch for 1.25 hours before someone stopped for me. Just as we started to pull away, the hostel owner showed up so I jumped out. His dogs were with him and he has taken them out for a walk. Perhaps I should have taken the hitch... in any case, I do have a ride back to town.

Spring 2017 AT hike, day #8

Saturday, May 20, 2017
Start: Sassafras Gap Shelter
End: Tellico Gap
Miles: 14.8

It rained a bit during the night so I packed up a wet tent in the morning. I didn't sleep very well and woke up in a grumpy mood. At least the bugs weren't as evil in the morning. I was up at 6am and on trail by 7am. It quickly got hot and humid.

From the shelter (4391'), I climbed to Swim Bald (4710') and then descended to US 19/74 and Nantahala Outdoor Center (1732'). I ended up going to the outfitter and the general store there and hanging out for a while (fine, it was over an hour!). Turns out, they have a special IT band strap, which is magic. It cut my pain by at least 60%. It allowed me to walk normally again. I had the full use of both my legs again; my body and soul rejoiced. They also loved the three cold drinks, egg sandwich, and assorted other snacks we ate.

From the NOC, I bounded up the never ending mountain. I went past the Jumpoff (3940') and then summited Wesser Bald (4627'), climbing to the top of the observational tower. I hung out there for maybe half an hour, calling hostels to figure out a way to get me more contact lense eye drops, as I'd run out this morning. After figuring it out, I descended to Tellico Gap (3850'), arriving by 3:45, where my shuttle picked me up and took me to Franklin.

I deeply enjoyed showering, getting groceries, eating in town, and running my laundry. Tomorrow, I have a 7am shuttle back to Tellico Gap, where I'll hike back towards Franklin. If I must hike in the rain, slack packing is the way to do it.