Date: 2019-02-21
From: Tray Mountain 

To: Top of Georgia Hostel 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: snow

AT day 5Today¢s weather was drizzling but on the warm side with temperatures in the mid 50s. The hike to the trailhead for Hiawassee was only 11 miles. I was occasionally above the clouds and could see miles of mountain peaks poking up through the clouds. It looked like a bunch of islands surrounded by a sea of gray. The trail consisted of the typical AT hiking pattern; climb up a mountain, walk a ridge line and then descend. Repeat this pattern until you stop. The hardest climb was Kelly Knob. The only person I saw was Cheese (her trail name). She stayed in the shelter last night. On the way down the final mountain I discovered that the tips of my trekking poles had broken off. I can still use them but they will not work as well and might wear out before I can get them replaced. I got to the trailhead and had to hike another 0.5 bonus miles to the Top of Georgia Hostel where I was going to pick up my first resupply box. They are called bonus because they are off the AT and don¢t count toward your total mileage.I was the first hiker at the hostel. . The people that work there are extremely friendly and the place is super clean. As I was checking in they asked me if I wanted my laundry done. At first I said no because it had only been 2 days since I had them cleaned at Neels Gap. I thought that only my socks were filthy but the longer I stood there talking the more I became aware of my hiker stench. I hung up my tent outside and used this special microfiber towel to wipe off the filth. I had a room all to myself so I was able to hang up all of my wet gear to dry. I used a large oscillating fan to speed up the process. After taking care of my gear I took a shower and had to scrub my ankles and feet extra hard to get them clean. The hostel provides their guests a free shuttle to Hiawassee. The driver¢s name was Vagabond and she has hiked the AT 3 times. She is in her late 70s and still going strong. She dropped me off at a Mexican restaurant that had great food. I had what I think was called the Muy Hombre (spelling?) and a 32 ounce beer. On the way back to the hostel we stopped at Dairy Queen for an Oreo Blizzard. I can¢t believe that I ate so much. When I got back to the hostel Cheese and Guiding Light were there. Guiding Light is Ukrainian but now lives in Florida. Her toenails are giving her problems. The rest of the night was spent moving gear around to get dry, organizing my food and then packing up. They have breakfast at 7 and the shuttle to the trail leaves at 8. I made sure I got up early so I could eat, finish packing up and take care of bathroom stuff. I was pretty pleased with myself to be getting on the 8:00 shuttle because I can¢t seem to leave camp before 9:00. As we head down the driveway the driver tells everyone to check and make sure you have everything. I couldn¢t find my Inreach satellite communication device. I was in panic mode because those things are expensive and good for emergencies. I had to get off the shuttle and unpack my gear. I finally found it in my clothes bag. What a relief. I had to wait for the 9:00 shuttle.  To be continued in tomorrow¢s journal entry. One of my favorite pieces of gear is my full size buff. It keeps my ears warm in the cold wind.