Sassafras Gap shelter (mile 143.6) to Stecoah Gap (mile 150.4)

It snowed last night. Only a couple of inches, but it was cold and it was still snowing. It was real purty.

I had a quick breakfast and got going as soon as I could. There were a few folk who gave the hint they might stay in the shelter the whole day. They were from Florida and one of them proclaimed they had only seen snow about ten times.

“Wow. It snows all the time in Australia.”

“Really?”

“…”

It wasn’t too bad at first. I warmed up pretty quickly, but the snow continued to fall. What was once purty turned into a winter hellscape. The trail was difficult to see and the footprints of those only a mile or so ahead were quickly getting filled.

After a couple of hours I started to get a little concerned. My rain jacket was “wetting out” meaning it was starting to let water through. I was wearing my down jacket under the rain jacket as it was so cold, and if that got wet I was in trouble. A wet down jacket is no good at keeping you warm and I really needed it dry if I was to be ok camping or staying at a shelter.

The walk down to Stecoah Gap was treacherous, there was a section of mud and snow, which was super slippery and I went over in my sore ankle a few times. I was cold and hurting, and once again I hobbled down to a gap.

When I made it to the gap I called Craig at ‘The cabins in the wood’s and thankfully he had a bed free. He picked me up after ten minutes or so and brought me back to the cabin.

Craig explained I’d be sharing a cabin with a woman and another couple. I did not care, as long as it was warm. When I got to the cabin I realised the woman was Happiness, who I had met at the Top of Georgia hostel and who had also stated at the shelter last night.

When we greeted each other Craig said “so you two know each other?” To which Happiness replied, “yeah, we slept together last night”. Happiness has a way with words…

I had a luxurious shower and revelled in being warm. Then I grilled some spam and cheese and had it on a tortilla. It was delicious.

I told Happiness about the wonders of spam, but she seemed unconvinced.

The other couple turned out to be three and not a couple at all. Clipper, Honeybear and Pacecar, who I had seen off and on throughout my trek and who also started at the same shelter the night before.

Happiness and I got a ride into town with Craig for a resupply. I picked up hot dogs, buns, and sauce (funded by Pacecar) for dinner. And we had a pleasant night eating too much and chatting.

There was still a hot dog left, but we were all too full.

It snowed the rest of the night but the weather is supposed to be clear tomorrow. Fingers crossed.