Date: 2018-03-11
From: Neel Gap

To: Whitley Gap
Miles today: 6.7

Day 5Although the mileage says 6.7, we also did an extra 1.2 miles into Whitley Gap shelter.Still a cool, dreary day, so we waited until about check out time (11:00 am) to make our way back up the path to Mountain Crossings. At Mountain Crossings I found "Pretzel" again, who quickly brought me over to show me how the wrist straps came off the poles and how to attach the new ones. He said he had to do a little internet research, but figured it out. So, a shout out to Pretzel for new wrist straps at no charge and congratulations on his new endeavor as a Wildland Firefighter. Pretzel also showed me his wallet which is made by Recycled Firefighter Co and is made out of recycled fire hose. Did our resupply and headed up the trail. Many other hikers stayed at the cabins as there is talk of rain for a couple of days. We might have stayed but the cost was too much. Most had several hikers in each cabin which cut the cost. Also, we learned the thru-hiker rate is only if you are standing at their front door, first come first serve. Reservations are significantly higher, but we really wanted a warm, comfortable place to stay for the night. Hind sight we should have made arrangements with some other hikers prior to our arrival. We heard from one group of hikers that they had sent "The Specialist" ahead as he was a fast hiker, and he reserved a cabin for their group at the thru-hiker rate. We saw Tyler (we called him Bum knee as he stayed at Hawk Mountain when we moved on due to his knee), he was one of the hikers staying with The Specialist.  As we headed up out of Neel Gap the rain had stopped and we had to quickly strip off our rain gear and some layers as this was the warmest day we have had on the trail. Our plan was to not go too far as we were getting a late start. We considered staying at the first shelter as the next was too far. Unfortunately, the first shelter is 1.2 miles off the trail which means another 1.2 miles just to get back to the trail in the morning. Rambling Man soon passed by saying he was going to the 2nd shelter. We played leap frog with "River Jack" and "Jedmorgensen" most of the day as we made our way up the trail. Soon we came to the turn for the first shelter (Whitley Gap) and we reasoned it would be better to do the 1.2 miles and have a dry night and no wet tent to pick up rather than camp along the trail, so we made the turn. It's called Whitley Gap for a reason. You walk on what would be a beautiful ridge in good weather, then you descend into the gap. We got to the shelter only to find we had it all to ourselves. We set up and cooked our dinner. Soon the rain started, lightly at first, but the wind also increased. By the time we were in our bags the gap had become one big cloud with a mist blowing diagonally into the shelter getting our bags and faces quite damp. We readjusted, trying to get as much protection as we could. The rain and wind picked up, but we did manage to get some rest. Another night of being in our sleeping bags way too long, but with the cold there was no other choice.On another note, when we arrived at Neel Gap and dropped our bags outside the store Mary sat down at the picnic table with a young hiker, so she thought. Anyway, she made the mistake of asking his name and where he was from and if he was a thru-hiker. He started speaking very fast, telling her where he was originally from and then rambling on and on about military school, Alaska, Hawaii, etc. He was talking so fast she could hardly understand most of what he said. He did say he was camping out while he was in grad school. He hopes to hike the trail someday. He was cooking some fish he must have caught, and offering it to others who were politely declining. Apparently other hikers had already asked him a simple question and had also tried to politely listen as he rambled on. Mary said she had to go find her husband and quickly got up from the table.