Date: 2014-04-02
From: past neel's gap

To: low gap shelter 
Miles today: 15.0

Wednesday, April 2: day 4Started out the day late. 10 am. I didn't pay attention to my body over the last couple days and have runner's rash (Chaffing). Not fun. I cleaned up put some Neosporin & runner's balm on and hit the road. Today the birds were my company. Tons of bluebirds and woodpeckers, and one turkey vulture circling over the road. I went past the furthest I've gone on the AT this afternoon. Hit Testnatee gap around 12:30 and chatted with an ultra-lighter from NH. Trevor. He was a nice guy and carries about 20 lbs. He remarked on how much lighter my bamboo pole was compared to his leki pole. Loaded up on water before the gap and set out to one of the dry parts of the AT that I've encountered. 4.5 miles without water. Most of the time water is every half mile. Went past some amazing mountain views before I hit a lowland area of heat and nothing else. As I walked, I thought of Thom & always wanting an Asian foot massage. Now would be a good time for one of those.Even though I started late I didn't pass many people and only Trevor passed me. What I did notice was the 10 or so day-hikers. Many with way to much gear and others just with a day pack. The people with day packs usually had ULA ultra-light packs. One guy was a full load Army guy. I thought he might of been dropped off in the woods as punishment and forced to walk back to base with 70 lbs on his back. He was really struggling with cameo pants, full boots, and no walking sticks. I thought I should tell him to grab some broken branches or something to help his journey but he just grunted as I walked by. Sweating and wasting away in the afternoon Georgia sun. As I came down the mountain to a shelter, short of water, I thought I should stay the night. When I got there, there weren't many folks around about 7 or so. I think it was about 5 or so. But as I cleaned up in the steam, washing away days worth of grime, tons more streamed in from the trail. I'd say 30 people or so. The two UL runners were at the shelter as well as Trevor. Jolly rode in about 7. Shelters are very noisy places. A complete opposite from the last 3 nights where I was alone or with 1 guy. Not really liking it. It's great to see what everyone has and talk a bit to fellow hikers but I think I'll keep shelter living to a minimum. Met an old thru-hiker doing a few days of hiking with his grandson. He's another UL hiker. Has 12 lbs without food and water and only carries 1L of water the whole time. I have 2.5 during the beginning of the day & go down from there. It's going to be interesting as the temps go up how much water I consume. The old guy said it was 78 today and tomorrow. Then it will rain on Friday. He have some good tips about only having a poncho as a raincoat. Carrying little water and 4 days food. After Hiawasee, Franklin, NC will be my next resupply. I asked if it should go to Dick's gap a couple days up he the said to hit Unicoi, 9 miles up to hitchhike or grab a shuttle. We'll see when the time comes what I'll do. I have a lot more time tonight since I only went 12 miles. I nice rest day. I finally got my first blister today. Two body problems already. Ouch. It's on my right big toe. On the inside. Very tiny. Hurts a bit but I'll live.