Date: 2003-03-18
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap Hostel
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Only 4 miles today- but over Blood Mountain! It was raining and very foggy, and the top was clear of trees and consisted of much exposed rock. The wind was shreking, and the rain was slashing down as I crossed over the exposed top, and I found myself grinning and laughing as I battled with the elements. No, thats wrong, I was not battling with the elements, I was enjoying them. Nature does not set out to "Battle" with us. Nature does what nature does. We have to adapt ourselves to it, because it is not going to adapt itself to us. Nature does not care! I was not "battling with nature" I was enjoying being exposed to howling rain and wind on an exposed mountain top, because I was being given an opportunity to enjoy, and be exposed to, the forces of nature. Nature herself dident care about me, or wheather I was enjoying it or not.The descent from Blood Mountain was even tougher than the climb, with a lot of exposed rock. It realy is true what they say " It's harder going down than climbing up" Made good time however and got to Neels Gap at about 11.30AM. Was able to call home and talk with my wife Kathy. She has mailed the drop box to Fontana, God bless her. She does not understand why I am doing this hike- neither do I realy- but she has been very supportive and helpfull. I know that she would have preferred that I not do this, although she has never said so. I know that without her support and help I would not be here today. The hostel here is attatched to the shop, and is very nice.I got to take a shower and to shave. Amazing what such apparent small things mean when you are deprived of them. The hostel is very much like the International Youth Hostels that I used when I was young and hiking in Ireland. Bunk beds in a common sleeping area. No cooking allowed. We are all currently awaiting a promised shuttle ride to a buffet dinner which is much anticipated by all.I am myself however not that hungry and have eaten less food on the trail so far than I had expected. This is apparently not that unusual. I am told that it sometimes takes time for your "Trail Stomach" to kick in, so to speak. I have resupplied here and now have food for 6 days. I weighed the pack again when I arrived here-42 pounds. Still heavy. I am still concerned about the pack weight, but I believe that I need to stay in "Winter Mode" untill I am tru the Smokies at least. Plugger, who has carried a 60 pound pack up to this point, has reduced his pack weight to 38 pounds with the help of the staff here. I also dumped my camp booties here and got a new pair of- very very lite- yellow OR type shoes. I mean they are REALY YELLOW! If I need to be rescued by helicopter all I need to do is to lie down, stick my feet in the air, and wave my feet. These shoes will double as a rescue beacon without any problems. After all, every piece of gear should have at least two uses. Plan is to head out tomorrow- without a hot breakfast-and try to get to Low Gap shelter. There are warnings of heavy rain and thunderstorms-50%- for tomorrow, so I am a little worried about that. Always something to worry me- a habit that I need to work on.