Date: 2013-03-06
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was extremely cold! I awoke to snow covered ground after spending the night listening to the wind howl through the trees at a near constant roar. As I am still trying to determine the most efficient means of controlling moisture/humidity in a tent with wet conditions outside and humidified air from my lungs and body heat and sweat inside the tent. I found that my gear was unacceptably damp. A damp down sleeping bag does not function well in cold weather. On top of that (or should I say bottom), my sleeping pad is an inflatable type and it has a slow leak which means that in the early morning hours, my back was on the cold hard ground. I met with the other hikers who had stayed at the shelter, Tarzan, Ashley, Lucky and Diane as well as Tush and we all began the trek off the cold, frozen, bitterly cold and windy mountain top. (Note to self: Do not camp on a ridge or mountain top during a winter storm - Seek a lower more protected elevation.) As we were hiking down the mountain, it was, however, a "Winter Wonderland" and I began a song in my head to that tune:"Icy treesShould be glisteningBitter windsThey are frighteningWe're hiking alongSinging a songWalking in a winter wonderland"I seriously, however, became concerned with the potential for frostbite. As my balacava was tucked away deep in my pack, I ended up using an insulated hood around my face and cheeks to try and provide some warmth and protection from the cold.There are times in the woods in which you just want to be with nature and avoid any hint of civilization and there are other times the sounds of "civilization" are welcome as road noise implies some potential relief from the bitter cold. The group with whom I am hiking had made arrangements to be picked up at Dick's Creek Gap by a shuttle to Hiawassee. I was able to share the ride even though it was intended for those staying in the motel owned by the shuttle service. The driver merely pointed out that tips were accepted.Since I had a mail drop waiting for me at the Blue Berry Patch and the hostel was highly recommended by Thru Hiker "Space Cowboy" (class of 2011), the driver dropped me off there. After being cold and trying towork with damp gear, the Bluebery Patch Hostel was a very welcome shelter! There was a warm fire in a wood stove, a hot shower and a real toilet available, and the owner/operator of the hosten even had clothes for hikers to wear while they washed, dried and folded your laundry for you.On top of all that, Gary, the owner/operator (thru hiked with his son in '91) drove a couple of us to town to resupply and later that night brought over some banana bread for us to share. Gary considers the hostel a ministry and he truly has a servant's heart. The Bible verse "I was a stranger and you took me in..." comes to mind.Others staying at the shelter tonight are Fairway, Tori "Heartburns", Heartrock, Hunter and two other late arrivals who hiked further up the trail but had to turn around due to the severesnow/weather conditions. Those two were returning to stay a second night. In the hiker's log, I also noted Bazinga had been there 3/04. (We had planned to start our hike about the same time.)