Date: 2007-03-22
From: Deep Gap Shelter, GA

To: Hiawasee, GA
Miles today: 3.5

Wow did I learn a lesson last nite regarding the wind and my hammock..It isn'tthat I didn't know this, but I was able to measure the difference in temps andclothing.It was gusty last nite, and I am hanging between 2 trees that are pretty farapart, which means when I lay down, the hammock drops a lot. I put my tarp upwith its rope lower than my hammock tree huggers, but there is only so far thatyou can go down. There was about 6" between the tarp bottom and ground. I goto bed and absolutely can not get warm. I had my whole body inside my sleeping bag and was still chilled. The wind wasblowing directly towards my tarp.I checked the temp and saw it was still 53 degrees inside my hammock, and Istuck my hand up and could feel movement of cold air. That told me convectionwas killig me, so I got out to try and pull my tarp as low as possible to theground. The challenge was that the ground slopes, meaning I have even furtherto adjust it compared to my hammock position.I ended up loosening the tarp from the trees, staking it within 3" from theground and then tying it to the trees again. The tarp itself is not taught atall, but it wasn't overly windy so I knew I wouldn't need to worry about itripping by flapping and whipping in the wind. I also piled up dead leaves againto fill the gap on the side of the wind.It isn't pretty to look at, but I was shocked at the results.I got back into my bag, and within about 15 minutes, the temp rose 5 degrees! Ialso started sweating eventually and had to take off my down jacket and hat. Igot completely out of my bag and pulled up my shirt some...ended up fallingasleep like this for awhile.I eventually woke up cooled off and got back into my bag, but only half zippedfor most of the nite. I was amazed at the instant difference. I am feeling moreand more confident in my ability to deal with cooler temps. I think with windchill, it was probably in the low 40's last nite, outside of myhammock. Bottom line is you must try to seal yourself off from moving air...itdoes wonders for warmth.For those of you not interested in hammocking info, just know that I've got awhole forum's worth of hangers (novice and expert) who are reading this stufffor good info so that is why I give so much detail about my hangs (that and to ahanger...it's just plain exciting! LOL) You are basically witnessing thelearnig curve involved with learning how to hammock.....let me tell you, it ISworth it. My friend Nicole has a sore back and shoulders, and we've bothdeducted that it is due to her sleeping on the cold ground. I told her I wouldlet her try my hammock once it warms up.....I wonder if I'll ever get it back!LOLSo it was a town day, and we knew it. I woke up at 6:30 a.m., and journaledsome. Then I heard Nicole moving around at 7:00, so I decided to call theHoliday Inn Express in Hiawasee and ask a few questions before reserving ourroom. It sounded perfect, so we were up at 7:30 a.m. and were on our way by9:00! That is a record for us. Nicole even ate some of my poptarts in lieu ofcooking her normal oatmeal.We only had 3.5 miles to go, and the trail was a friendly trail again today. Weran into the same boyscout troop #336 again. We flew to Dick's Creek Gap..alleither of us could think of was SHOWER!!On our way down, the owner of the Cloud 9 Hostel, Frank, was running up thetrail and offered to everyone he saw to carry their packs for them. I said toNicole, "Wow....what a businessman..runs up the trail to meet hikers!"We got down to the road, and were about to start sticking out our thumbs (and Iwas excited to do this, because it would be our first hitching experienceafterall), but Frank offered for us to look at his place and then take us intotown if we still wanted to go, so we took him up on it.We rode in with Crazy Horse and Dances with Sloths, who is having knee problems. The hostel was very nice, on a trout farm and we ran into Wes and his dad Paul(whom we met at the hiker hostel in Dahlonega) and chatted a bit. We also metCrutch, a 4 time thru hiker and Mother Nature and her husband..all very nicepeople. The owners of the hostel were really trying to sell us on the place,but we both were really looking forward to some privacy and peace and quiet (Iknow..a funny thing to say when you spend days on end in the woods, but hostelsare high energy places, and neither Nicole or I had any left).So Frank took us into town and I gave him a little $ for the ride..he didn'twant to take it, but I thought it was only right..geez.We got our room and thought we had died and gone to heaven. The lady at thefront desk was super nice and gave me extra shampoo and conditioner..this ratsnest on my head was going to require it! LOLWe both got cleaned up, I swear I was in the shower for almost an hour..mywashcloth was filthy..apparently I was too! Then on to the nextpriorities..FOOD and laundry! We walked down to a little Mexican Restaurantcalled Monte Alban, and pigged out on fajitas and chips and salsa..we ate, andate, and ate. Rigo, our server was very nice. It was a pretty good littleplace actually.Then it was next door for laundry. While we were sitting there, Sailor walkedin! He is staying at the same place as us and he had just gotten into town. That guy cracks me up, and he doesn't realize how funny he is. He keeps renamingplaces, like the Cheese Factory where we all camped 2 nites ago..he called itthe Dairy Farm and then the Cream Site! Oh man..he has us rolling all the time.So after laundry, it was to the p.o. for me and Nicole headed back to the room(she's passed out as I write this, and its only 5:15 p.m.) Neither of usrealized how exhausted we were till now. We are going to plan the next leg, resupply at the store down the hill..probablygo sit in the HOT TUB (oh yeah) and take a zero tomorrow, which did wonders forour bodies last time. We do know the next resupply will be in (drum roll please..) North Carolina! WOO HOO..we are almost thru our 1st of 14 states!Oh..Sailor saw a bear this morning..I am so jealous. He camped at Addis Gap, afew miles back from us. I hope to see one soon. All the wildlife I have seenhave been dead for some reason, to include a bird, lizard, snail, and orangesalamander..don't ask me.I did see a possum running away from me, but that was today as I was walking upthe road from the post office. Does that count? LOLMom..I've been thinking of you all day, I hope you aren't in too much pain. More on accomodations and culture shock tomorrow.   ~Certain