Date: 2014-04-17
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter Campground
Miles today: 11.9

Tent City at Low GapSomeone snored really loudly all night, Matilda really dislikes this and was shaking the guys bunk to stop it, he was right opposite us and he'd stop for a while, then gradually start up again and Matilda would strike. In the morning, someone asked what all the banging was about and I fessed up, it got a bit of a chuckle but we when went to buy supplies from the store, the woman working the register handed us some ear plugs and with a rather sour look said "I think you guys need these". Apparently the staffers sleep downstairs from the bunk room and had been awakened by all the banging, really a shame someone who snores so loudly sleeps in a group setting. It's a late start, though the staff try to roll everyone outa bed early so they can clean up, Zach comes in with a broom and looks a little sheepish as we try to heat water in the microwave for coffee and eat outside on the deck, he doesn't seem in too much of a hurry to start swinging the broom so we have time to finish.Random Hikers RelaxingWe pass various campsites as we roll up the cold morning mountain, and some hikers too, the 2 older guys doing the same section included, as we go buy they greet us with "there they go", think they'll a little envious of us.We're headed for Low Gap shelter but resolve never to stay in a shelter again unless the weather is really bad, too many snorers and mice. It'll be a tent for us unless the weather turns bad.De Wayne and Caroline his dog are camped out along the way, Caroline is her usually friendly self and comes running out to greet, chewing on fingers with those sharp little teeth, tail wagging in delight. Down into Tesnatee Gap, it's a gravel road and parking area, no one around, then a steep and fairly short climb up to a nice sunny spot with a bit of a view and a nice rock to sit on for lunch, a few hikers come by including a young guy followed by his dad who's commenting on how much he slows his son down. We sit for about an hour to rest and eat and enjoy the lovely sunshine but still chilly temps, coats needed as we're a bit sweaty from the climb.We'd planned to go beyond Low Gap for the night but hear rumours that everyone is headed to the camping area around the shelter so decide to go in and check it out, along the way we pass a rather heavy woman moving really slowly, she's with a group but they've left her behind so we agree to pass on a message that she's on her way but moving very slowly. Low Gap is indeed the place to be, a little tent city is developing, there are already a lotta tents set up and more hiker seem to roll in every minute. It's a first time to set up the new tent so takes a few minutes to figure it out, gotta use hiking poles to hold it up, has no poles of it's own, it works out OK with a bit of jiggling and looks very impressive when done, we get good comments on our cool tent.Tent done we go off to gather firewood, there seems to be a good supply despite the multitude of tents and we get a good fire going, there are 3 women there who are very talkative, they're husbands are all military or ex-military, and they were hiking with the slow moving woman.One of them goes off to try and find her down the trail and they come back in not too great a time, she's OK for now but probably wont't be able to go much further.No bear cables at this shelter so we gotta hang our food in a tree, not an easy feat to throw a rope up over a branch of a small tree (small so a bear can't climb it), it takes some doing especially after a tiring day on the trail.