Date: 2014-09-08
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

Yesterday after I had written my TJ post I was sitting in the shelter listening to the rain when two guys came walking in. 15 minutes later two more came in. All were sectioning North. The two couple hadn't met before. We all talked and made dinner. I enjoyed the company and they were some pretty cool guys. It rained all night. This morning I woke and looked at my watch to find I had slept later than planned. It was 6:15. I started making coffee and knew I had to hurry more than usual. I had planned a 15 mile day with plenty of ups and downs including Blood Mountain. Also, I had a long lunch in mind all before the storms came. I really wanted to stay and talk to some of the guys at the shelter, but I needed to get on the trail so I was packed and hiking at 7:15. It seemed as if today was one gap after the other all day long. I have learned to respect the words Gap and Notch on this trip because they usually deserve respect and require lots of energy. I made my way to Neel Gap by 12:30. Neal Gap is famous for two things. One, it is the only place the AT goes through a building and Two, it is the home of Mountain Crossing, an outfitter and hostel. I kind of wanted to stay there but I wanted to get more miles in today also. I went in and ask if I could charge my phone and was directed to a power strip. I then looked at their gear. I was really only interested in one thing and they didn't carry it. I then began looking at the food. They had a pizza oven so I got a cheese pizza. Wow, that one medium pizza had over 1500 calories. I also got two sodas. One for now, and one for later. I got some other snacks and I got one more dinner. I should have enough food to finish now. Especially if I stop at Wolfpen Gap country store for lunch tomorrow as planned. I sat on the porch in front of Mountain Crossing and ate the whole pizza and was feeling a little stuffed when one of the employees came out and ask if I were through hiking and about to finish. I said I was. He ask if I got my free ice cream. I said what. So we went in and he said get your choice. I got a Reeses that had 280 calories. Now I was ready for Blood Mountain. I looked at my guide and noticed it was a 1,300 ft climb. Ha! I have two of them for breakfast most days. An hour late I was at Blood mountain shelter taking pictures. It was the only thing I could see. As usual, I was in a cloud. At least it wasn't raining yet. I passed a group of women and I ask if they were the blue shirt club. All but two were wearing blue shirts. There is one in every crowd. At the Slaughter Creek trail junction I got a half gallon of water because I had heard the creek was dry at Woods Hole and I carried it with me the rest of the way. At the turn to the shelter I met two guys taking a break. I ask if they were staying at the shelter. They said yes and then maybe. I told them what I had been told about the water and they said they were heading to the creek to check it out. I went on the .25 miles to the shelter and never saw them again. The sky is clear now and the sun is shining. A cool breeze is blowing and it feels less humid. Could this 18 day rainy spell be over? I hope so. I have less than 30 miles left now and would like to finish on a clear day. Anyone know a trail angel near Springer that may go get me a bottle of champagne? Today I am grateful to be near the end but I miss all my trail buddies that are already back in the routine of their daily lives.