Date: 2022-10-27
From: Blue Mt Shelter Mile 51.3

To: Blood Mt Shelter Mile 30.1
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up this morning expecting it to be foggy out but it was completely clear and you could see the stars through the trees. However, it was clear that the fog overnight had condensed on the trees and tents as everything was slightly damp and I though I had heard rain falling as I fell asleep. We could see the sunrise from the shelter but it was obscured by the surrounding trees. However, it revealed that the valley below us was completely socked in and it looked like a lake of clouds with mountain top islands. It seemed like it would be a spectacular site if we had a clear view. Orchid, Coach and I finished packing up and started out on the trail. Decadent was just starting to pack up as we were leaving and asked us if we had mice issues overnight. We had¢t heard any, but he had five mice running around the outside of his tent for most of the night. Fortunately none had chewed into his tent and we had no issues with the mice.For much of the first part of the hike we were walking along a ridge that separated two valleys. The valley off to our right was filled with the fog and looked amazing. Depending on the trees we could occasionally see for long distances and it looked like the foggy lake went on nearly forever. The valley off to our left was getting sun and had no fog at all. We kept hoping to get an unobstructed view but never got one before we turned off the ridge and onto an old logging road. We were on the smooth logging road for quite a long time which made for an easy time hiking. For much of the day we kept seeing the fall foliage through the trees but never really got a great view although we did get some partial views when we stopped for lunch.Around mid afternoon we descended into Neels Gap and the Mountain Crossings Outfitter. The AT actually goes right between the buildings. For northbound hikers this is a famous outfitter where hikers that have been on the trail for 3-4 days can get a full pack shakedown and replace gear that is too heavy or isn¢t working for them. There are trees out front with lots of pairs of hiking boots from those that have quit the trail or traded in the boots. Interestingly, there were not nearly as many shoes as I was expecting. We went in to look around, buy a cold drink, and eat a snack but otherwise didn¢t stay too long. We had the big climb up to Blood Mt still to go and didn¢t want to get up there too late. Today has been another dry day with relatively few water sources again today and there is no water on top of Blood Mountain so we topped off at the outdoor water faucet. Georgia is also in a drought this year.It was a tough climb up to Blood Mt with the nearly six pounds of water I was carrying but we eventually made it up to the top. We spent a while looking at the camping options before finally selecting our tent sites. It¢s currently windy and the forecast has the winds continuing overnight with gusts up to 25 mph. I¢m in a spot where only four of my six stakes are really in the ground. Rocks are holding down the other two corners. Having a non freestanding tent it¢s critical that each of the stakes holds overnight or the tent could collapse on me. We¢re staying here for another sunset and sunrise. We setup, found a bear hang tree, and ate dinner while waiting for the sunset. It did not disappoint but it was cold and windy on the rock we were sitting to watch. This is likely the last good sunset/sunrise we will see on trail as tomorrows camp is wooded. It¢s pretty cold again so Coach didn¢t play for us tonight. When I peed the last time before bed I sat for a while checking out the stars which were really impressive despite being surrounded by lights in the valley below and Atlanta an hour or two drive away. It¢s close to the new moon so there wasn¢t much moonlight either. Back in the early days of the AT, Benton MacKaye and Milton Avery fought over what the trail was going to be like. Mackaye wanted a wilderness trail even if it wasn¢t connected. Avery wanted a connected trail even if it wasn¢t wilderness. In the end it was Avery that got his way and pushed MacKaye out of the ATC. There¢s times like tonight where I see lots of civilization in the valley and hear trucks from the top of Blood Mt wish that MacKaye had won.Ironically the ATC is working hard to keep and expand the wilderness feel of the trail and trying to expand the trail corridor to ensure vista¢s are of mountains and lakes and not industry and towns. Steps 47800Weather Forecast: 66/40 sunny