Date: 2012-04-22
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap Mtn Crossings Hostel
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

I was dropped off at Woody gap by my brother at 12:30 P.M. yet another late start but freshly showered and clothes all cleaned so I started my hike up Big Cedar Mountain 3,737 ft elev met up with another thru-hiker down by Lance Creek trail name (sort of ironic) Late Start (male mid 20's) from Tampa FL he and I hiked together for about 2.5 miles it was 3:30 when we reached Jarrard Gap it's 5 miles to Neels Gap and there is a bear canister sanction on this 5 mile stretch of trail no camping unless you have a bear canister. Neither Late Start or I had a canister, which meant we had to complete the whole 5 miles. I decided to go for it, after all I just hiked 5.5 miles in 3 hours but we had to climb Blood Mountain at 4,461 ft elev. Late Start suddenly could not keep up with my pace so he fell back as I pushed on. At the base of Blood Mountain I ran into Bunky & Rain Catcher from VA, who camped with me at Gooch Shelter Friday night. I was just about out of energy, It was then i realized all I had to eat that day was a fruit smoothie and one banana, so I started popping bite sized snickers in my mouth to get over the Mountain top. Bunky & Rain catcher passed me on the way.. my competitive spirit was trying hard to kick in, but my body totally had no energy so I kept popping in bite sized Snickers. Finally made summit, my camera was registering out of memory but Rain Catcher quickly adjusted the pixel level so that I could keep taking pictures she was good with camera's - Thx Rain Catcher! She asked If I would take a picture with her phone camera of Bunky & her coming out of the stone Blood Mtn shelter and I gladly did. We all signed the shelter log started our 2.4 mile hike down the back side of Blood Mountain towards Neels Gap and the Mountain Crossings Hostel. The temperature was begining to drop and the wind had been fierce all day long. I caught up with Bunky & Rain Catcher half way down the mountain (pay back) and made it to Mountain Crossings by 6:15 ran into Wicked Miner & Candy Cane outside of the Hostel. Chatted up a bit, somehow Wicked Miner knew I shuttled Blu-eye's who now has suddenly morphed into Grizzle to Mountain Crossings the day before. I hurried inside the store to reserve a bunk in the Hostel because they were going fast rumor had the temperture falling below freezing and winds at 35 mph! A bunk was $15.00 + tax includes towel and shower Per person. The hostel is ran by Pirate, he was busy grilling cheeseburgers when I showed up, he told me just go inside and pick a bunk.. I did right next to the front door, so if anything happened I could be first one out the door. Hollywood is missing out on this Pirate character he is honest to goodness a real live Pirate.. acts and talks and lives like a pirate! No parrot though, but two striped cats live inside the hostel! Dinner consisted of cheeseburgers with baked beans (Pirate forgot about the chips inside his detention room) (no quest allowed!) the meal ended with Keylime pie for dessert! yummy! Power ended up going out due to the high winds so that shut down the bathroom no water must have a well pumping water to the hostel. Did not sleep very well in the hostel the guy across from me snored loudly all night long and the young guy above would not be still tossed and turned all night. In the middle of the night someone tried to come inside, I heard the front door to the lounge area door knob jiggle and then it came to the door next to me and jiggled the knob. I felt sorry for whoever it was they were desperatley trying to get in and out of the bad weather. I was hoping it wasn't Late Start or better yet Sasquatch... the wind was really howling!