Date: 2005-03-15
From: Gooch Gap

To: Wood's Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Today was another fabulous day on the trail. Most of the same crowd that was at Hawk Mt. Sunday night made it to Gooch Mt. Shelter last night, and most of those planned a 12 mile day today to Woods Hole Shelter. If you're in good hiking shape, 12 miles isn't bad. If you're not...well let's just say it¢s a good day's exercise. Once again I was able to "hike my own hike" and that included both a minor and a major victory over the "mileage monster." The minor victory came when I stopped almost immediately to deal with a "hot spot" on my left heal, thus preventing a potential blister. The major victory came when I began hearing, directly and via the hiker's grapevine, that various other members of "M Company were planning to push on an additional four miles - over Blood Mountain, no less - to reach the hostel at Neel¢s Gap. I knew that I was physically capable of doing that too, but was simply not willing to pay the price. I was disappointed for a bit, as those moving on were some of my most favorite shelter companions. I knew, however, that that was one of mileage monster most dangerous ploys: "You'll lose all your friends if you don't keep up!" I also knew that there would be other new friends coming along, so I didn't bite.And sure enough, not twenty minutes later, who should I catch up with but MotherGoose herself. She had decided to take a couple of shorter days, with a hostel stay in between, and was now headed for Woods Hole shelter, which was very cool.The weather today began overcast and rainy, mixed occasionally with sleet during the morning, but the sun came out in the afternoon and warmed things up beautifully. There were a few more birds in evidence, including a downy woodpecker, several juncos, and a pair of nuthatches. I heard a pileated woodpeckers call, and heard him hammering, but never saw him. Other than that, wildlife has been scarce.I did, I think, get some decent photographs, but won't know for sure until I can see them. I still haven't had time to figure out much about my new digital camera other than to point and shoot. I brought copies of several pages of the manual, so maybe eventually I'll find the time to read them, but this hiking thing is really pretty much a full time thing!The longer hike today took me just over eight hours, compared with only about five for each of the two previous days, putting me into camp after 4 pm. It takes a couple of hours to get all my camp chores done, including claiming a tent site and getting my tent set up, including bag and pad, etc. Then I have to pump my water for dinner and for tomorrow's hike, get the rest of my gear out of my pack, fix and eat dinner, clean up, and hang my bear bag. All of the shelters so far have had these really easy-to-use bear cables, so I'm feeling a bit spoiled. I spend a bit of time socializing, but not too much, as bed time comes early for through hikers. Eight pm is considered hiker midnight, and the sound of sawing logs generally starts before then. We had another campfire tonight, which was great, but it didn't last long as most of us were pretty worn out from the 12 miles.Once again I'm typing this after the sun has gone down, in the light of my head lamp. Tonight, however, I'm doing it in my tent, as one of the slower hikers got in late and was too tired to set up his tent. Since all the space in the shelter was already taken, he opted to sleep on the picnic table, which is where I usually type these entries. The temperature was dropping fast, however, so I don't mind being in my tent where it's at least ten degrees warmer due to my body heat.It was another good group at the shelter tonight, with MotherGoose, of course (and she is even funnier in person than by email!), and her new hiking buddy The Hopeful Hiker. Turtle and his two retired partner partners were there, along with Echo and his wife Turtle Rose, Runaway and her hiking partner Ah Youth (who is 76 years young) and Red Hat. NuB, who is another of my favorites, is the one sleeping on the picnic table, and then there are several other new hikers, mostly in tents.Tomorrow is a short day into Neels Gap, only about four miles, but over Blood Mountain which is supposed to be a pretty good climb. A number of us are planning to rent a cabin together there, which will give us a chance to shower, do laundry, and eat in a real restaurant! I know it's only been three days, but we're all looking forward to a dinner that doesn't come in a bag that you have add boiling water to...Other than that, life on the trail is good, and I'm still having the time of my life.Today's hike is dedicated to my oldest son, Rich, of whom I am ever so proud. More about him latter, but for now it's past my bed time. Stay tuned, Longhaul