Date: 2018-12-01
From: Deep Gap

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 21.7

Its Hard to believe it's December and I'm still out here. I turned on the TV and while getting ready and learned that George H W Bush passed away. River picked us up at 7am and dropped us at Deep Gap so we could hike 21.7 North back into town while she, Galaxy and Songbird hike south from the same spot. She brought a pair of trekking poles from Christine for me to borrow because at 9:30 last night I realized I'd left mine in the back of WE's car and they were on their way to PA where they wouldn't be helpful to me. I Had oatmeal and a breakfast shake for breakfast in my room. It been a while since I have had that for breakfast but it fueled me well. It was raining lightly when we set off with Wildlife in the lead at 8 am. We immediately climbed up Indian Mt and I managed to keep up with Wildlife which I was concerned about. I didn't want my middle age to show while hiking with a 25 year old! After the summit we hiked down for a while and then on a nice flat section of trail where we were in a nice cruising speed. It was raining steady and cold and I tripped on a root and took a swan dive (because it sounds better than belly flop!) into the muddy water on the trail soaking the left side of my leggings and bruising my forearm. We Stopped at 11am for lunch and I ate the other half of my sandwich from yesterday at the shelter. We continued on and after debating on the bad weather trail near the top of Albert mountain decided to go for the gold and went straight up the rocky summit in wind and rain. We didn't linger on the summit but 2.5 miles after at a shelter we stopped to snack and add another layer and some dry mittens. Wildlifes hands were so cold her fine motor skills were effected and I noticed she was dropping her peanut M&Ms she was snacking on and couldn't seal the bag. She hadn't been wearing gloves all day but instead was using one trekking pole and tucking her free hand inside her coat sleeve to try to keep them warm by alternating. She was cold and shaking and I knew we'd be on a flatter section without the same energy expended to keep warm so I encouraged her to add a layer and I added a wool base layer over my existing shirts. She put mittens on with my help but was saving her fleece. I took the lead hiking as fast as I could so we could be as warm as possible. We Made it the last 3.7 ahead of schedule and thankfully shuttle driver arrived early with a warm dry car. We hiked that 21+ miles in 7.5 hours, a record speed for me! Wildlife and I showered and went to the Outdoor 76 store for new poles for me and a beer. We signed the thru hiker banner and enjoyed our beer which was on the house along with some Outdoor 76 class of 2018 bandanas which was very nice. They didn't have any cork handled poles so I settled for rubber grips. When we finished there we went back and threw in a load of laundry together. I love this little town with its vibrant Main St and Christmas decorations. River, Songbird and Galaxy stopped by the hotel to say goodbye to me after they showered and ate because I was too tired to go back out for a beer. I'd ordered pizza for dinner and walked to convenience store for a pint of ice cream which I was eating when they arrived. Songbird was impressed that I put half back in freezer but I think I had it back out before their tail lights faded away and finished it off. There were Hugs, tears and Galaxy and Songbird shared a song friends wrote for them called Appalachian Blue and Green and it was really wonderful and touching. I'm sad that I wont be summiting Springer Mt with them all but I'm 2 days behind them. I'll be on my own at the summit which is now looking like the 7th.