Date: 2016-04-09
From: Mountain Crossings - Neels Gap

To: Blood Mountain Cabins
Miles today: 0.0

4/9 - Day FiveThe AT is 2,185 miles long. Everyone talks about the number of footsteps it takes to complete a thru-hike, but no one talks about the number of decisions that have to be made along the way.I had to make a decision this morning. To jet out of Neels Gap and make it either 6.7 miles to the first shelter (Whitney Gap) or continue to Low Gap Shelter, 11.1 miles out. The third choice was to zero here and avoid what is predicted to be a very cold (25 degrees) night on the trail.I decided to zero. I am feeling good, but many of my crew decided to rent a cabin at Blood Mountain and bypass the extreme temperature and make up the lost miles in the morning.My 12W Vasque boots that I wore all year prior to my hike are hurting. Word of advice to anyone thinking about giving the AT a go, don't disregard the advice that your feet will swell. Mine did, big time and I have the blisters to show for it. So imagine my surprise when I found an almost brand new pair of Vasque boots (same exact pair I had in 12w) in 13M laying on the floor in Mountain Crossings. I asked the guy if they were tree boots (hikers who give up here at Neels Gap ceremoniously throw their boots into the tree at Mountain Crossing). He said no, but I could have them....score! So part of my zero day today is testing out my new 13's. So far I think the 12's are going home to Kelly.The character factor here is high. Let me see if I can break it down into general classifications:Over 60 and in shape: These fuckers evidently found the fountain of youth somewhere along the way. I will toss Huckleberry, Montana Craig and Bob from NH into this grouping. They are friendly at camp, but don't snuggle too close as these guys will be leave ya in the morning with a simple "happy trails". You won't see them again, they are big mile folks.Over 60 and out of shape: Other than Kennebec (who I met on day one), I have not really interacted with this species. From what I am told, by Neels Gap these folks have tapped out.The Dog People: This species contains two subspecies. The prepared dog people and the unprepared dog people. The unprepared dog people do stupid shit like leave out of Amicola Falls with 25 pounds of Old Roy.... Ya I said it, 25 pounds of dog chow! I did not actually see her, but hikers who did say she and Fido turned around before getting to Springer. J (the cat I hiked with on day two) and I met another girl with a dog. She was at a gap and seemed disoriented and was trying to find a ride to town.... To get more dog food. The prepared dog people on the other hand seem to have their shit together. Lost Souls: These bastards come in all shapes and forms. There is no minimum age and damn sure no sign this says "you must be this tall to ride". These cats are generally solo. And just because they are lost souls does not mean they are clueless. A lot of these guys and girls are showing up to play and win. I intend to do further research on this classification.Young Cats Not Lost Yet: Another large showing.l on the AT, I will toss Mountain Goat, Feel Good (formerly Jake, Magic Man (formerly Walter) (why can't he carry a banjo because I can't spell yukalaee?) and of course Trek. Trek is a bonafide Jewish rabbi who admitted that he was mostly in it for the bagels.And then there is the Hiker Trash.....I think Giant might be the leader of this group. These are hikers who for whatever reason found this walk in da woods addictive and have made it their life....and they have the trail tattoos as further proof of their unlimited devotion. The label Hiker Trash is worn proudly, and they earned it. These types make it to Maine fueled by trail knowledge, hiker box scores and ganja. Think the tortoise and the hare. I think this group goes all the way. Why not, they seem to have the most time?The zero day did get a little long, however I was able to get caught up on rest and texts. I am very ready to hit the trail in the morning, but curious to see how my resupplied pack will do as it is stuffed for the next four days.