Date: 2017-04-05
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Chatahoochee Gap 
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 8 on the Appalachian TrailApril 5Miles Today: 8.7Total Miles: 47.9I woke up to my dad walking into my campsite around 7am this morning. Unsure of who, or what, it was at the time I jumped right up. My dad must of heard me because right after he said, "it's just me bud." I instantly relaxed and laid back down for a few minutes. After I got out of my tent, my dad was on his way. I broke down and was on trail shortly after 8am. The trail was super easy today. Most of it followed along what seemed like an old walking path or maybe even a railroad. Climbs were gradual and took place over long distances. Soon after I began hiking, the rain began to come down. I was really enjoying the cool weather and rain as it was soothing the sunburn I got on my arms, face and neck yesterday while hiking in the direct sunlight. At about mile 3.7 we stopped at Low Gap Shelter and made up a quick mountain house meal that my dad wanted to make. It was Mac n Cheese and it was delicious. After walking in the rain for a few miles it hit the spot and really warmed me up. With no end in sight for the rain, I decided this would be an opportune time to put my rain jacket on and try to dry out my shirt over the next few miles. The trail continued to follow the same grade it had before. Slowly but steadily climbing in elevation. It was real nice hiking and would've been perfect had it not been raining. A little past 1pm we reached our goal of chatahochee gap. Turns out this wasn't the best place to set up camp. Essentially it's on a ridge line and the winds are so strong coming up one side and then blowing back down the other. Setting up my tent was nearly impossible with the winds and I almost lost both my tent and its rain cover. Between rain getting in my tent while setting it up, getting in it while soaked and changing, and the wind being so strong that it's pushing my rain cover into the side of my tent, my tent is pretty much soaked. It's gonna be a long night and it's only 4pm as I'm writing this. Hopefully things go well but we're expecting more storms coming in tonight around 9 or 10. The current one hasn't even ended yet. Good news! I heard from Joe today. Him and Murph bailed at Unicoi Gap and grabbed a room at the Hiawassee Budget Inn where they will be staying tonight and taking a zero tomorrow. He sent me the number to the Inn and I called to see if they had any rooms available for tomorrow night. Only 1 room left so I took it instantly. Currently my dad and I are 4.7 miles from Unicoi where the Inn will pick us up and bring us to Hiawassee for free. So even with some crap weather tonight, we will have that to look forward to and will be able to dry out our gear throughout the day tomorrow. Best part is, the 4 of us will all be starting back up at the same time and will be able to do some more hiking together. Knowing that I'll be able to charge up my devices tomorrow at the Inn, I will be passing the time today in my tent by listening to some classic rock. It's hard to be in a bad mood when you're listening to some of the greatest music ever made. Side note from the trail. I'm missing Zealand a whole lot at this point. I've been looking at pictures of her on my phone and it's making matters even worse. I'm already looking forward to being reunited with her when I get back home. When I call home, my mom puts me on speakerphone so I can talk to her. When she hears my voice she instantly starts barking and looking to the front door to see if I'm on my way in. I'd love to be cuddled up with her on the couch or in bed right about now.