Date: 2010-03-14
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

The Three Oafs and Shelter DiplomacyIt was nice to pack up gear that was dry. I returned the canvas shopping sack used for resupply to Mountain Crossings before heading out. The clocks had moved forward an hour so I was on the trail by 10 AM.The trail out of Neels Gap climbed steadily. After a bit, I saw a drawing on the trail from Landwalker (lndwlkr). He must be just a bit ahead. I saw a group camping just before Cow Rock. Shortly afterwards, I heard footsteps coming quickly from behind. It was Landwalker who had stopped to talk with the campers. He was surprised that I could match his pace, and we enjoyed good conversation for a few miles. For a while, we were hiking without being rained upon. I said goodbye at the steep climb out of Hogpen Gap as I knew he would drop me. Shortly afterwards, a cold blowing rain developed.There was a tarp across the front of Low Gap Shelter when I arrived in the cold drizzle. I called out to Landwalker, and he responded that the shelter was full. Thankfully, he was kidding. However, there were three young men with southern accents who had spread their gear across most of the shelter and were occupying more than half of it, laying on the floor in huge sleeping bags. In the opposite corner was a cute couple who appeared to be "Barbie camping" with gear that looked like it was purchased from Toys 'R Us. They had spread out over a fairly large area and were covered by a quilt. Landwalker was huddled inbetween, appearing quite the outcast. There was no space available for me along the backwall given the present configuration, so I huddled against my pack on the sidewall at the entrance, shivering and wet. After an hour or so, I negotiated with Landwalker and the couple to make some space so I could align myself between them with the head of my sleeping bag at the back wall. There was no negotiating with the three oafs who were either dead, drunk, sleeping, or feigning sleep as they lay across their half of the shelter. An hour or so later, HoofIt (from Florida, and before that England) arrived and pleaded with his British accent for space in the shelter. No response from the oafs. I was the seventh person in a shelter built for seven, however, often times several more can squeeze in. Hoofin' it dejectedly set up his tent outside in the driving rain. He was not a happy camper. Landwalker went outside to console him. As dusk was arriving, three members of the Traveling Circus arrived. Apparantly Brandon (the fourth member) had an achilles injury and was off the trail. He had the tent as they had stayed in shelters every night. They were now in a quandry since they had no tent and the shelter was "full". Thankfully, Landwalker and I were able to get the oafs to shift a few inches to allow Kate space in the shelter. Emily was able to tent with All Good (Kentucky), who thankfully carried an MSR Hubba Hubba (two man) tent. I am not sure where their third member stayed, but he was still alive the following morning. It will be great when spring break is over!Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.-Albert Einstein