Date: 2012-10-29
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

AT day 6: Blue Mountain Shelter to Deep Gap Shelter 14.9 mile. Woke around 7:30 and quickly realized it was cold. No breakfast this morning, it was just too cold. I got up before my companion and found most of the stuff unsecured out around the picnic table area had been blown around. It dawned on me that I probably should have grabbed the gloves out there last night. I reluctantly got out of my bag and went out to releave myself from a long night's sleep and found the gloves on the ground. I picked them up and found them still quite wet, but decided to keep ahold of them. Once back inside the shelter I began to gather my gear together and packed my backpack. My shelter companion awoke and complained of the coldest damn night he'd ever had. He'd shredded his emergency blanket, which comfirmed my fears of these light weight so-called emergency blankets: worthless. We were both quickly packed and said our good byes. He to the south and I north into the cold windy morning. And it was cold, and even more so by the wind, blowing steady hard and gusting harder. I quickly discovered my bare hands were very very cold and would be in serious trouble if I wasn't able to do something to cover them. The wet cotton gloves I attached to my breast strap of my back pack to dry and pulled the sleeves of my shell jacket down as far as I could over my hands which were holding my hiking poles. Even exercise and body heat weren't going to cut it this morning to keep my hands warm. It was just Damn Cold. After a bit of decending, the temperature seemed to warm and I found the gloves dry enough to try and wear. Shortly after the were completely dry and I was relieved. I didn't need frost bite. At the bottom of Blue Mountain, as I was about to cross Hwy 75 at Unicoi Gap, I found trail magic. A partial case of bottled water left up on the trail away from the road. A much needed surprise, because I was abit low and the next possible stop for water was a ways off yet. I drank 3 bottles of nice cold water. Once across Unicoi Gap it was a hard hike to Deep Gap Shelter. Two large ups and subsequent downs were awaiting me. Rocky Mountain: 1000 ft and Tray Mountain: 1300 ft. I got water on the way up Tray Mountain at a spot called 'cheese factory'. Don't know why it's called that? Two tough climbs and around 2pm as I was stopped checking my map at Tray Mountain Shelter, I met a man and woman, with Georgia Mountain Club, dressed in cotton clothing? what's up with that?, updating gps data on the trail. They were taking coordinate positions every 10 or so feet. They mentioned a few campers had just started a fire at the shelter and asked if I was staying there. I told them no, my desination lied ahead 7 more miles. So off I went with their blessings and disbelief. It was another difficult hike and I arrived at the accention to Kelly's Knob, a good 800 foot climb. There was a tempting camping spot about 100 foot into the climb that I comtemplating setting up camp. But again, the weather pushed me onward...and upward. Over and down the other side, I came to the trail exit to Deep Gap shelter, 0.3 mile off the main trail. It sucks to think you've got to walk anymore than you have to. And placing a shelter 0.3 miles off the main trail is too much...I crossed the small stream where I would later filter water and arrived at the shelter area. Another awesome site sheltered on the leaward side of the mountain. The wind was hardly a factor here. The shelter is really cool. Built in the tradition of big trees and big logs, this shelter was post and beam style construction, with nearly 4 walls. The front was was partially closed up with a doorway, which really makes all the difference when it's windy. Someone obviously, takes care of this place as it's very clean. And I found trail magic; dry foods - uncle bens rice dinner and an omlett mix, and then the most awesome gift of all a choclate brownie protien bar. I can't tell you how excited I was to think of eating that after dinner. This shelter was really cool, an open floor area with a ladder leading up to two bunk areas to the sides. A kids dream play house. I unpacked most of my stuff below, filtered water and then decided to go ahead and carry everything up and prepare my dinner up in the loft area which I did. I ate dinner as the sun set and the darkness filled the shelter. I texted my brother in law my location and plans for tomorrow on where and when we should meet at Dicks Creek. I was only 3.5 mile away and could make it there in 1.5 hours. My phone battery was getting low and I kept communications to a minimum and prepared to turned in for the night. Matt's not sure, on account of the weather if the shuttle lady is going to be willing to do her job and transport him out. He'll text in the morning. Not as wet as before, but just as cold from the wind. I thought I heard mice all night but never did. Slept well and stayed warm in the Deep Gap Shelter.