Date: 2016-02-20
From: Low Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Close friends and family have embraced my "Rabbit" trail name. My best friend growing up responded to it with a playful reminder of his particular enjoyment of coming from behind me and tweaking my big ears. I retrieved his message around 2:00 in the morning, laughed, rolled over, and went back to sleep. My response to him involves a new basketball pass I showed him back in 8th grade. I put him down with an unintentional direct shot where the sun doesn't shine. He was so ticked off that he chased me a long way - guess he's still chasing me now. That's what friends are for.AT friends? As you know, I am new to this and am trying to learn quickly. Subman's tent next door began rustling sometime after 5:00 a.m. It's my first Saturday on the trail and I guess we don't sleep in. We had our packs on and began to hike in the dark shortly after 6:00 a.m. It was fun. I thanked Suds for wearing reflectors on the back of her hiking shoes as they were my beacon. Memory of this includes obtaining water from ice melting in a constant flow as the thick ice clung to the rock wall next to the trail. Hiking as the morning light introduces the new day was special too.This morning's trail was easy; filled with numerous opportunities to camp alone (just make sure you bring water to those camping spots). The climb to Blue Mountain Shelter made us work and there was moisture in the air in addition to the good sweat we worked up. We caught up with Papa Monkey at the shelter. Apparently nobody sleeps in on Saturday. It was something after 10:00 a.m. and we'd hiked 7.3 miles. The weather was ornery, clearly the worst so far. I put on my packa (a rain/wind coat that covers me and my backpack in one piece of fabric) and donned a hat with a brim to keep rain off of my glasses. I told Suds that I knew I didn't look good. As I left the shelter, I noticed that day hikers were out hiking as they could easily be differentiated by what they weren't carrying on their backs. They were helpful. As I was sweating under these additional clothes, I noticed that they were dressed for a nice hike outdoors. So I realized the weather wasn't to be the ugliness envisioned at the shelter.Today's hike beyond Blue Mountain goes markedly down to a gap and then takes you right back up. Think of it as an extended escalator ride between floors at a mall and you can't decide whether you want the top or the lower level. Remember that you are carrying 30 pounds on your back and that you are working as hard to climb up as you are to avoid falling as you pick your way through the moist-covered rocks, roots, and muddy trail on the way down.Unicoi Gap was the base of the initial descent. A man calls me over asking if I'd like a soda, water, or something to eat. I tell him I'd love a drink. Wait a minute - I know this guy. Trail Chef was back! He'd driven 1.5 hours this time to again surprise Subman and Suds with trail magic. This guy is a special friend. I was still there with Papa Monkey as yells were exchanged with the surprised hiking duo. A shout out to Chin Music, who successfully thru-hiked in 2013, the cold root beer never tasted so good.I left this happy gathering to begin the next escalator ride. The ride got longer as the day went on. I got to Tray Mountain Shelter a few minutes after 3:00. Loon, another successful thru-hiker from a prior year, had raved about the views from this tenting area. Clearly the views would be awesome here - but not today. Today there is a mist in the air that is blocking the scenery. I get an occasional tease of light breaking through to show the valley in the distance but it disappeared as quickly as it briefly revealed itself.I met Tripper and Slipper today. They are a friendly couple from Jasper ( Georgia) who consciously began their thru-hike the day before Storm Olympia arrived on Monday. There are smiles on their faces as they talk about experiencing it; you have to admire their spunk.The weather is turning for the worse. I change into dry clothes but can't get dry the sweat-soaked clothes worn earlier in the day. I think I'm about to be given another AT learning session tomorrow. Can't wait.