7.3 miles

March 7, 2018

Lance creek (mile 23.8) to Neel gap (mile 31.1)

I did not sleep well and woke up to a pretty cold morning. I got going as soon as I could drag myself out of my tent. Which is pretty damn hard to do when it’s chilly.

The first hour and a half was tough. I had no energy, and I felt like I had not rested at all. Some dandruff like flecks of snow started to fall, but it didn’t settle.

There was a huge roaring sound and I couldn’t work out what it was until I climbed a little higher. It was the wind, and it’s chill was epic.

My hands were freezing, because who doesn’t have gloves? This idiot. Urgh. I ended up wrapping my buff around one hand to warm it, then swapped to the other hand.

Around lunch I decided to stop at Woody Hole shelter to get a break from the wind, this ended up being a mistake as it was a fair way off the trail and it was even windier and colder there. No rest had to keep moving, but at least I got to use the privy so it wasn’t a total bust. Then a dude walked in on me using the privy. Awesome.

As the day wore on I started to feel better and I was able to go longer up the hills before needing a breather. Blood mountain, the highest mountain in Georgia at 4457 feet, was actually relatively easy. I mean it was still tough, just not as tough as I thought it would be. I was pretty worried about it, in fact I think most hikers were. Many a hike has ended at the foot of Blood mountain. Apparently, about 25% of thru-hikers quit when they get to the bottom.

The views were pretty amazing and, thankfully, the wind had died down so I could sit around for a bit and enjoy them.

The walk down the mountain was challenging and tiring with lots of rocks and boulders to clamber over. The temperature started dropping again as well. At one point I was worried I had somehow gotten off the trail, as there were no blazes anywhere and the Guthooks app was indicating that I was off course. I met a couple of hikers coming up the other way and they assured me I was on the right path. I mean, its not like there were any other paths to be on.

I was pretty elated when I got to Neel gap! I got a slice of pizza at mountain crossings as well as a Coke and some egg, sausage and biscuit thing which I had to heat up in the microwave there. It looked disgusting, but oh my god it was amazing.

I called K2 as he and Doo had booked a cabin and thankfully there was a spare bed for me.

When I knocked on the door of the cabin Doo opened the door with a flourish, saying “welcome home!”

It was warm and toasty and utter bliss.

K2 made me eggs and tortilla, which was bloody amazing. Why have I never combined those before??? I dropped of my laundry. Then we talked, ate spaghetti, then talked some more. It was a really pleasant night and I slept really well.

The only downside was that my nose is really badly burned from the wind. 🙁