Date: 2016-01-10
From: Helen, Ga

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 5Weather man said it's going to be sunny.I made arrangements to get a shuttle ride from Helen back to Neels Gap after calling several shuttle drivers. Apparently I skipped the most logical town and went to the further destination ..what ever, I really enjoyed Helen. The shuttle driver could only pick me up at 1pm, so I got a super late start back to the trail.After watching the weather report that morning and hearing"cold but SUNNY " I was thrilled to be back on the trail. I passed through the neals gap outfitter/hostel, for those that don't know, the trail goes right through a very old and cool looking building. About a quarter of a mile up the mountain I saw this huge grey cloud take over the sky (Grey is my favorite color). It was a giant fog rolling in, and to my amusement it was turning everything in it's path white. It was so cold out that the moisture from the fog was turning into snow, and I was watching it happen live from the front row. That was one of the coolest things I've seen. There was absolutely now way I was going to make it to my destination of Low Gap shelter so I went with the under used shelter that is an extra 1.2 miles off the trail...Whitely. Let me tell you...that was an awesome 1.2 miles to walk with some incredible views looking out. And yes I know the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable and has a mind of its own. I know that I should be prepared for the worst and expect the best. Sometimes the worst is the best...as in I froze pretty good that night.I have never been so cold in my life. The weather man said it was going to be sunny, and I didnt see the sun once. I saw snow. I find that hilarious. I met my first thru hiker!!!! I was super excited to meet somebody else out there. Inspector Gadget was wrapped up in all of his sleeping attire in the corner of Whitely shelter. He is a tripple crowner and has done just about every other trail out there. So, needless to say, he has tons of experience and it was good to talk to him about the other trails and other gear..his ultra light set up was maybe 9 lbs...Im carrying 30.It was a very windy night that night. I put on almost every piece of clothing I had and I froze. The wind was intense and no matter what I did it found its was into my sleeping bag. My water bottles were frozen before I even got close to the shelter. My stove was frozen. Most of my food was frozen..except the slim jims!!!! So slim Jims for dinner it was. Inspector Gadget said it was 8 degrees...and add the wind chill...probably a whole lot colder. I slept with my stove, phone, ipod, and shoes in my sleeping bag that night. I woke up in the morning and my feet were actually numb with 2 pairs of socks on. It took about 2 hrs of hiking to thaw them out. In a weird kinda way, I enjoyed freezing. Its strange, but It was something I've never experienced before, and probably will never again..until tomorrow night. It makes you appreciate mother nature and puts a new perspective on how spoiled I have it living in a house with central heat and air, running hot water, and a comfortable bed. I guess I have taken all the comforts for granted and mother nature punched me in the face to remind me how good I have it.