Date: 2005-03-16
From: Wood's Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: light rain

What a great day! It was a relatively short hike, a good thing after yesterday¢s 12-miler, with only one mountain to climb - the famous Blood Mountain. The mountain got its name after a major battle between two Indian tribes, with so many killed and wounded that the ground ran red with their blood. It had rained again over night, but once again I was warm and dry.   I woke at 5:30 and figured I'd get to test for the first time getting all my gear - except for my tent - organized and packed from inside my tent. While I was getting dressed, however, the rain suddenly stopped, so I got to wait for another day for my first "get it together in the rain drill".In addition, I was thrilled just to be able to move around without the back pain I had last night. I had gone down to the spring for water, and managed to sit in a really awkward position for about 15 minutes pumping with my filter, and that was all it took to aggravate the herniated disk in my back. I have not had problems with it for several years, but at one time - before I started exercising - it was so bad I'd had to use a stand-up desk at the office as it hurt too much to sit for any length of time. When I finished pumping, and tried to stand up, the sciatic nerve let me know how very much it wished I had not been so mean to it, and the sudden pain pretty much took my breath away. I managed to hobble back to the shelter, leaning against trees every few yards for support, and I couldn't help wondering if this was going to be the ignoramus end to my through hike. As soon as I could get to them, however, I downed a couple of the little pink pills prescribed by my knee doctor (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory), and said a little prayer that it would work itself out. I figured I wouldn't know for sure until this morning, so it was with great relief that I woke up pain free and ready to hike. I was going to dedicate today's hike to my daughter, but will save that for tomorrow. Today's hike goes to Dr. Madden and his magic pink pills! (And, of course, the Big Guy - but that goes without saying.)The hike up Blood Mountain was not nearly as bad as I'd been led to believe, and so I arrived at the summit far sooner than I had expected, and after not a bad climb at all. I just rounded a corner on the trail, and there was the old blood mountain stone shelter. I had to dig out my guide book pages to be sure that the shelter really was at the summit, and was thrilled to confirm that no one had played a nasty trick on me and moved it or something. I'd been hiking just ahead of Echo and Turtle Rose, so when they arrived we spent a few minutes looking around and took pictures of each other. It was a cold and rainy day, however, and the summit was totally socked in, so there was no chance for vista views.The rest of the way was all down hill, but the first half mile was over rock slabs that were wet and slippery, so the going was slow. Then I hit good ground and easier grades, and began to fly. I was one of the last ones out of camp this morning, so I was hoping to catch up with friends before Neels Gap. Sure enough, before too long I came across MotherGoose and Red Hat. That allowed me to slow myself down, which was a good thing, and we all arrived together at the Walasi-Yi Center.The trail actually runs through the center, which includes a full-service outfitters store, a hostel and some cabins. My first stop was the store to collect my food drop package (thanks, dear!) and to have my pack "tuckerized". Winton, a previous through-hiker went through my pack and helped me figure out what I should keep, and what I should send home.I ended up buying a new pack, as my 17 ounce job just wasn't cutting it, a newly designed alcohol stove that came highly recommended, and a new water bladder that sits on top of the stuff in my pack rather than in a sleeve-type pocket.With a lighter pack (32 pounds with 4 days food, but no water), and a lighter wallet, I was ready to arrange accommodations for the night. I ended up sharing a cabin with six others - MotherGoose, Hopeful Hiker, Red Hat, Ah Youth, Runaway, and Vision Quest. After a much-welcomed shower, and while my clothes were working their way through the washer and dryer, I got all my gear organized and into my new pack. At 5 pm we caught a shuttle ride into town and had dinner at The Cookie Crock - an AYCE restaurant featuring southern-recipe comfort food, and it really hit the spot. Back at the cabin, I made a phone call home, sent off the first couple of journal entries, and was thrilled to get a number of really great email messages, including some from my guest register on www.trailjournals.com. Thanks to all who wrote - the messages really meant a lot! Keep 'em coming, please!Stay tuned, Longhaul