Date: 2018-05-15
From: Stealth Tent Site (mile 801.5)

To: Stealth Tent Site (vicinity Salt Log Gap)
Miles today: 14.8

It was 7:00 when we hit the trail. The air was warm and thick and it didn¢t take long to work up a sweat. Once again we started the day below 1,000¢ and worked our way up to over 4,000¢. From our campsite the trail meandered through the forest just above the Lynchburg Reservoir. It then continued alongside the Brown Mountain Creek. Although the trail was pretty level for the first few miles, the bulk of the morning hike was spent leaning into another big climb. This time the beast was named Big Bald. Oddly enough Big Bald is actually not a bald. On the other hand, it¢s neighbor, Cole Mountain, is a Bald. It was a long, slow, hot slog up Big Bald. These steep climbs on warm days are seemingly a daily occurrence of late. The thermometer hanging off of WW¢s pack read 90 degrees at 11:00. But, we just put one foot in front of the other, sipped our water and ¢Skittled" our way to the top of Big Bald and then Cope Mountain. Since the weather has warmed, hazy skies have limited the views and photo opportunities from the high vistas (like the one of Big Bald). But, the open space found on the balds offer uniquely beautiful close-up scenery. Cole Mountain did not disappoint. For the past few days we have been leapfrogging the trail with Snow Angel and Espresso & Clover. We also saw Sherpa at a shelter yesterday. He started his hike on 23 February and the last time we had seen him was in early March at the Sassafras Shelter. The trail continues to bring us in and out of contact with other hikers.We reached Hog Camp Gap (USFS 48) at 1:30 sharp. I had arranged for a shuttle at that place and time. Our driver, Oma, co-Proprietor of Three Springs Shuttles, took us to the little town of Buena Vista. She dropped us at Lewis Grocery. We ordered a cheeseburger from the small deli, but were unable to find much in the way of resupply. So we walked about a mile to the Family Dollar to check out their selection. On the way to the Family Dollar we stopped by the Ice Slice for some rolled ice cream¢BRAIN FREEZE! After grabbing a few items from the store we walked a little further to a Subway to get dinner to go. Our daughter had read Which Way's journal entry from yesterday and called to give Mom a pep talk. I think it must have helped, as her mental mindset swung back to the positive side. By the way, Which Way¢s feet have been doing much better since she picked up her new shoes. Now if we can just get some relief from the heat.Oma picked us up at Subway at 5:15 p.m. and we were hiking again by six o¢clock. Lately, it seems that the last couple of miles have been the best hiking in terms of conditions of the trail. Today was the no different. We hiked up and over Tar Jacket Ridge before arriving at Salt Log Gap, where we found a place to tent a hundred yards or so after crossing another Forest Service Road. I believe prayers are being answered, as we hiked in a pocket of calm air, while severe storms raged all around us. The rain and wind remained at bay as we wrapped up a hot, but good day on the AT.Peace and Blessings - Next StepElevation Data:Ascent - 4,540Descent - 2,360Grade - 8.7Weather:Day - 90 / Sunny Night - 65 / ShowersOver the Horizon: Shenandoah National Park