April 13, 2009
Last night Lynn and I spent our first of three nights at the Hiker Hostel. Let me start by saying that I can't say enough good things about it. When Lynn and I first saw the pictures of it on the Internet, we thought, "It's a hostel, it can't be that nice." But let me tell you, it is. Josh and Leigh Saint thru hiked the A.T. a few years ago. On the way, they planned to start a hostel when they finished. They built their house with this hostel in mind, and it is beautiful. Check it out on their website www.hikerhostel.com. The rooms are beautiful, very affordable, and they prepare breakfast for you in the morning. They also provide a shuttle service to any A.T. trailhead in Georgia and even into North Carolina during the slower times. The shuttle service is more costly than a night's stay at the hostel, but they have a lot of expense with their two vans. Lynn provided me with the shuttle service I needed so I didn't have to use theirs. The rooms are filled with hiking photographs and hiking books. Computer and Internet access is also available. There's a downstairs kitchen for all to share. There's also a TV with a large selection of movies to choose from. They have this place running like clockwork. Many, many thanks to Josh and Leigh.
The weather forecast was rain all day. Considering the forecast, I guess today was a decent day. The sky never cleared but other than a few sprinkles, it didn't rain.
Leaving Neels Gap in the fog.
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I had a good size climb ahead as I began my assault on Blood Mountain
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From the trail I saw this cool balancing act.
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View from the side.
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Up, up, up I went as I climbed my last 4000 footer on the Appalachian Trail.
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I went across some rock ledges that would have given outstanding views on a nice day. Despite the fact that I would only have three sunny days out of nine on this leg of my journey, missing the view from Blood Mountain was my only big disappointment. Just passed the summit is the stone Blood Mountain Shelter.
I hadn't seen any hikers yet today. I guess no one decided to stay here last night. They must have all pushed on to the hostel at Neels Gap.
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As I began my descent I met Lucky.
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It turns out Lucky was lucky. The next hiker I met was Strong Will. Despite stringing his food up high last night, a bear managed to get it and ate every bit of it. Fortunately, he could resupply at Neels Gap
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I then met "The Phoenix".
"You've got about 10 minutes to the top," I said.
"The top of what?" said The Phoenix.
"Blood Mountain," I said
"Already! This wasn't so tough!"
Apparently the difficulty of this mountain is exaggerated. I didn't find it that tough either.
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Down to Jarrard Gap
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I met a woman out doing trail maintenance.
Turns out she was a thru hiker way back in 1979. Her trail name was RIP. I forget what it stood for, but it wasn't Rest In Peace.
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Up I headed to Big Cedar Mountain where I missed another view. That was OK, my focus was on Springer Mountain which was now just 21 miles away. As I began my descent down Big Cedar I met a thru hiker named Matt.
Matt started the day before yesterday. It was more confirmation that I was getting very, very close to the end of this 2175 mile journey.
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I met Lynn at Woody Gap where there was a picnic area.
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This was my planned stopping point for the day, but since I did extra miles yesterday it shortened today's section. I decided to push on to Gooch Gap. I crossed Route 60, the last paved road that I would cross on my A.T. adventure.
3.5 miles to go
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That went fast didn't it!
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There wasn't much to see that 3.5 miles, at least on a rainy day.
Miles to go: 16.1
Tomorrow should do it!!!
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