Date: 2013-03-05
From: Neels Gap

To: Whitley Gap 
Miles today: 6.3

Never say never! I told everyone back at Neels Gap that I would not stay at Whitley Gap Shelter because it is 1.2 miles off the trail. Well, here I am, all alone at this lonely shelter. It¢s a nice enough place, and I am happy to be out of the wind and rain. Right now, it is 7:30 pm, and the temperature is right around 40 degrees. My day started out slowly because I needed to get re-organized back at Blood Mtn. Cabins, and I also had to wait for the mail to arrive at Mountain Crossings. The mail carrier showed up at around 11:00 am, but without my hoped-for package containing the Opsaks I ordered from the Loksak Company. I called Loksak and found out they had trucked it through USPS. They said it was sent February 25th, but the delivery status was not available. Jill from Loksak said she would call the Postal Service for me to try to locate it. Meanwhile, Mountain Crossings cannot forward it to me up the trail. They will return it to the sender instead.   It wasn¢t easy to get a signal at the Mountain Crossings cabin because it is in a Gap. I called those I was able to reach back home, but by the time I finished with everything, it was 12:30 pm, so I got a very late start on the trail. I knew rain was in the forecast, but I also knew that the only way to Maine is through all kinds of weather. One poor fellow in Mountain Crossings this morning was bailing out. He had had enough. He did look rather weary, and I can understand, as this hike is definitely not for the faint of heart.My hike began okay with a steep climb out of Neels Gap, my pack loaded down with too much food. There were supposed to be nice views today, but the only views I got to see where the ones a few feet in front of me. The entire surrounding area was socked in by fog as I made my way up and down the steep mountains. At one point, I came upon the sound of hundreds of birds calling and singing from their high perches in the tall trees. I couldn¢t see them because they were shrouded in fog. But what a glorious song they were singing. It was as if they were spectators along the streets of a marathon and they were cheering me on! Before long, the rain commenced ¢ lightly at first, but then grew heavier with my forward progress. By the time I topped Cowrock Mtn., the thunder and lightning quickened my step. I didn¢t really mind it so much until I reached Tesnatee Gap. By then I was completely soaked, my feet swimming in my water-filled boots. The wind was roaring through the trees and blasting cold rain across my face, which was the only part of me exposed.   My precip jacket was no match for the deluge, and all my clothing got soaked, especially as I hadn¢t stopped to put my rain pants on, which I probably should have done. I am very well-aware from past experience that these are prime conditions for hypothermia. The exertion it took to climb out of the Gap to the top of Wildcat Mtn. was enough to keep me warm. But I decided not to set up my tent in the rain. I would rather have a dry shelter for the night and a place to let my clothes drip-dry. I could only hope they would be semi-dry by morning. I am proud of my efforts today, as it took a tremendous amount of stamina to get as far as I did, especially considering the incredibly steep terrain and awful weather. Every day that I¢m out here, I feel a need to pinch myself to make sure I¢m not dreaming.The wind is gushing so hard right now that tree branches are falling on the tin roof of the shelter. I am weary, but happy to be here alone, surrounded by my stuff, which is spread out everywhere to dry. I had a hot meal of Ramen Noodles with green beans, and chai tea and an Almond Joy for dessert. I should sleep well.