I camped at the Cheese Factory site last night and set up my silshelter. I woke up to the pitter-patter of raindrops -- something that wasn't supposed to happen until tomorrow. I had to jump up and find my pack in the dark and pull on the rain fly to keep it dry. Fortunately I had the sense to pull out my rain gear then so I didn't have to run out in the rain in the morning.
Yesterday's hike stats are as follows...
Starting point: Low Gap shelter
Ending Point: Cheese Factory campsite
Dailey Mileage: 13 miles
Total Miles: 54.3 miles
Met a guy named Messy Garage... His wife made him a button to carry on his pack that reads, "My wife told me to clean the garage or take a hike!" We played hopscotch for awhile. I think he's a little jealous of all the folks he's met who've lightened their pack weights into the 30+ lb range; I think he said he carries about 56 lbs.
We also met up with Data and Molly McButter who started out at Neel's Gap on Monday. Data said that she was preparing to meet her demons in Chatahooche Gap. She camped there around this time last year... a bear raided her camp in the middle of the night. The bear climbed the tree that she hung her food in and snapped the branch. Here's the crazy part - she said she jumped out of her tent to get the food first! She said she tripped and sprained an ankle and had some good scratches. I think the bear went away after that, but she was pretty freaked out. She said she wanted to touch the tree where she hung her food last year.
Towards the end of the hike we came into Unicoi Gap and stumbled upon some trail magic - OJ and apples, left by a trail angel named Who Att. Thanks, man! That's where Tom from Maine left us to hitch into Hiawassee to head for the Blueberry Patch, a hostel and organic farm. He spent a cold night on top of a mountain without his tent - forgotten at Neel's Gap - so he was hoping to get it sent back to him.
We hiked some wicked hills yesterday, 1000 ft descent followed by a 1000 ft climb, followed by another 1000 ft descent. I felt great yesterday, but today I'm paying for it.
to be continued...
Posted by steph at May 2, 2004 11:16 PM