Date: 2014-04-11
From: Beech Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another big day! I was packed up and on the trail at 8:30am, after eating a pack of Pop-Tarts of course. My left ankle was still sore and my left knee was very stiff, and it hurt to bend it, which of course means it hurt to walk. I like the North Carolina trail much better than the trail in Georgia. It isn't easy, but overall the trail is graded much better here, with a lot more switchbacks, unlike straight up and down like in Georgia.The first few miles were uneventful, and passed quickly. At Mooney Gap, 7.7 miles into the day, I received my first trail magic! Several ladies from Michigan were down here because one of them has a brother, Postman, who is thru-hiking the AT. Anyway, when I got to Mooney Gap, I was offered doughnuts, fresh fruit, and an ice cold Pepsi, and I graciously accepted. It provided a much needed boost for my next challenge: Albert Mountain.The ascent of Albert Mountain was the hardest climb of the trip so far. For about a half mile, the trail was a near vertical rock scramble. In many spots, my trekking poles were useless, as I had to use both hands to bring myself up and over boulders and rock slabs. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful (as it has been this entire trip), and the climb was actually quite fun. However, it was a very technical climb, and one misstep and a hiker could fall to certain injury or death. Because of this, the climb required my complete attention. The climb was actually quite fun, but in bad weather, this route could be deadly.At the top, we were greeted with the Albert Mountain Fire Tower, which provided excellent views in all directions. Three other thru-hikers were there, and because this was our 100 mile mark on the trail, one of them had a small bottle of whiskey, which we all took a sip from while basking in the sunshine atop the fire tower. I still had another 6 miles to do, so I began hiking north. 2.5 miles later, I came to Long Branch Shelter, which was built in 2012, and it the nicest shelter I've seen on the trail so far. I took a break here, and soon began to hike to my destination for the night, Rock Gap Shelter, still another 3.5 miles down the trail. I covered the distance pretty quickly, and when I got here, I saw some familiar faces, and a lot of new ones! About 15 thru-hikers are here tonight, and we had a blast! We are close to a road, and Scout and Muzzle got a ride to Franklin, NC and came back with a dozen large pizzas, fried chicken, whiskey, and a box of Franzia wine! Needless to say, we had a fantastic evening! I'm camped at the shelter along with Muzzle, Lover Boy, Chili, Pop-n-Squat, Sprout, Lazer Pussy, War Story, Scout, DSOH, Zack, Belch, Seabiscuit, The Mayor, Hitch, Aerie, Leander, Joe, and Trip.We made a fire and sat around it talking and laughing until late into the night. It is such a beautiful night here, and the stars look like millions of little diamonds scattered across the black night sky. I really am fortunate to be out here. It is funny, everybody out here has such different backgrounds and stories, but here on the AT, we are all brothers and sisters, all sojourning north to Katahdin like pilgrims.Short day tomorrow, just about 4 miles to Winding Stair Gap, where I'll get a ride to Franklin, NC for some R&R.