Date: 2004-03-27
From: Neels Gap, GA

To: Campsite before Chattahoochee
Miles today: 13.1

I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe it was feeling cooped up in the hot basement hostel at Neels Gap. Maybe it was that nightmare I had early this morning where too many errands kept me from hitting the Trail again. It could simply be that I was surrounded by the guys and needing some privacy.Whatever the reason, I hit the trail at 7:30 am determined to make it beyond Low Gap Shelter and maybe hit Blue Mountain Shelter to experience another sunset.But first, I had to say good bye to Darren. He was leaving for home and back to work. Funny, out of all of us, he is the only one who received a trailname even though he had no intentions of thru-hiking. Despite his ability to disturb our nights, Buzzsaw will be missed.I also weighed my pack before leaving. 45 lbs. How did that happen? For one thing, I'm not wearing my winter stuff since we've been hitting 67-71 degrees each day since Wednesday. Also I had a full load of water. I hate stopping to pump.I was making a very good pace for the morning. Another clear day allowed me to look back at the ridges and cliffs where I took a break a half hour before. At Cowrock, I could see Wolf Laurel Top. After climbing Wildcat, I could see Cowrock.This section of the trail had more exposed granite much like the 3K's in NH. Blood Mtn, the highest point in Georgia (a fact I learned before using that page of the Hiker's Companion as a firestarter), also resembled the Moats in North Conway.While most of the hiking has been flat and rock-free, there have been some intense verticles. Right after leaving Tesnatee Gap, I felt I was ascending the Tower of Babel to the top of Wildcat. Much to my chagrin, the map does not suggest a huge elevation gain so I can't convince you it was tiring.I reached Hogpen Gap before noon. A couple of gents were hanging out by their truck drinking beer. They asked me if I was thru-hiking and I said yes. They gave me the weather report for the next four days. I have to say that Georgia residents have not asked me if I have read A Walk In the Woods. They must know better.I was eyeing their beers and one of them said, "She looks thirsty," as if I were a stray dog. I refused their offer because I had a goal that day. But soon regretted it.I then bumped into Zooma (1996), who was the ridge runner for the day and picking up trash. He also had green eyes and a chiseled face, so I naturally had to talk with him for a bit. He warned me that there is no water for 4.4 miles. I assured him I had enough and headed into the woods.After a very long four miles, I reached Low Gap Shelter where Steve came up to greet me. It was 2:30, too early to stay. But I took the time to rest my feet and get some more water. My toes are covered with bandaids. It feels like I took sandpaper and rubbed them raw. Otherwise my feet are fine. No blisters on the heels.Steve knew I was going ahead. He was staying due to ankle pain. We wondered if Andy would make it since he wasn't feeling well the day before. Shortly, he approached. Unlike me, he still had spring in his step.I left them with the intentions of getting to the next shelter. But doing the math, I knew I wouldn't be there before dark. I came across Mike, Steve, and Chad at a trailside campsite. They are from Pennsylvania. I'll be seeing them again. I went ahead ten minutes to an empty campsite and made that my rest stop for the day.Not bad--I built a roaring fire, hung my bear bags, made a scrumptious dinner. Everything was cool.Until those coyotes started howling...