Date: 2013-03-07
From: Gooch Gap, GA

To: Lance Creek Campsite
Miles today: 7.0

Our shuttler collected the 5 of us at 9:30 this morning and deposited us at Neel Gap.The air was cold and crisp but the sun was shining and I was anxious to hike. First to get into the outfitter, I collected my long-anticipated zero degree sleeping bag, sent my 20 degree bag home to Jack (that I will collect when I make a trip home later down the line) and sent my bounce box ahead to Hiawassee.I found Lumpy and confirmed my shuttle back up to Gooch Gap. His 9:30 shuttle was late in getting in, which delayed my shuttle.....by an hour and a half. When he hadn't returned by 11 AM, I started to worry as I had 7.1 miles to hike and only so much daylight in which to do it. While waiting, I saw (fellow '03er) Awol in the outfitter and had the chance to meet his wife Julie, who were out enjoying a few days in the woods. I enjoyed our conversation and was happy that I had the chance to see them. Remaining time was spent talking to Dixie Grits. It's always tough breaking up a group, especially when personalities and hiking styles match, but my new friends were hiking north from Neel Gap and I was 2 days behind. Lumpy returned soon after 11:30 and we had a good ride back to the gap. I was hiking by noon.I soon shed my coat, hat, gloves and buff, found my rhythm and made time climbing out of the gap.There were several great places to take pictures today, so I did, and posted them on my Facebook account: www.facebook.com/JourneyontheAppalachianTrailIt's easy to post pics right from my cell to FB, but will be more involved to get them into my Trailjournals site.I met Bumpkin going southbound who told me of trail magic at Woody Gap, so that put a spring in my step and I didn't stop for lunch knowing that there was food ahead.It took me 2.25 hours to go the 3 plus miles to the gap, and as promised, Fresh Ground was there giving back to the hiking community he loves. I had a hot chocolate and two hotdogs that I enjoyed while sitting in the sun. I was joined by Roamin' and his adorable mutt Carly and Matt.With a full tummy and happy heart I climbed the mile to the top of the mountain where I was treated to a beautiful panoramic view of the valley. Moving on, I met two older gentlemen that were on their way to the summit to camp for the night, where they were looking forward to a beautiful sunrise in the morning. Before we parted, one of the gentleman said that I was the first hiker he had seen with earrings that matched their fleece I told him I was "stylin'". As I walked away, I though of my Sahli Nature Park friends who had given me the earrings as a going away gift.After seeing Awol and Julie again (hiking south), I arrived at my destination for the night around 4:45. Lance Creek Campsite is the last chance to camp before the don't-dare-sleep-here-without-a-bear-canister area, so since I didn't intend to carry one, here I sleep.After a 40-minute humorous, then, pitiful, followed by cursing attempt to throw my bear bag, I had lost my appetite for dinner. I had never been unsuccessful at throwing my bear bag. I ate a cold dinner that consisted of a 21 grams of protein Builders Bar, drank some cold water that I had flavored with lemon essential oil, and went in search of an already thrown bear bag on which I could share space.The two young fellows I had met at the trail magic were more than happy to share their line with me and I had the chance to enjoy the company of Carly again, so the evening ended well and I did not have to sleep with my food in bear country. In my defense, they had found a great tree, bent over, low and downhill from where they were. Anyone could have thrown that line