Date: 2014-04-18
From: Justus Creek

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

Sarah and I slept well. I didn't do my usual stretches before getting into my sleeping bag, and an hour after saying good night, I discovered some new muscles in my left thigh who wanted to get attention by tightening up. Some stretching and Vitamin I (trail lingo for Ibuprofen), and I was fine. It's a close fit in the tent for both of us and our gear - next time I'll leave at least one of the backpacks outside under the awning. By the time we hit the trail about 8:30, Wired and the other folks tenting above us had already left. When we got to the Gooch Gap shelter we were glad we didn't make it there last night - the area was packed with people and tents! Sarah estimated at least 40 folks, and some had probably already left. We had to stand in line to use the privy!Linda, Sarah and I knew we'd have to be flexible in our planning to keep our adventure fun. We had already modified the optimistic version in that that Linda was taking today off rather than meeting us at Woody Gap and "slack packing" (hiking with just a day pack) the 10.7 miles over Blood Mountain to Neel Gap. (There was a forecast of rain this afternoon plus she didn't bring her trail runners better suited to hiking on mountain trails.)After Sarah and I had hiked a few miles with our full packs, we realized it would NOT be fun to hike all the way to Neel Gap that way that day! There's also a restriction on camping along the Blood Mountain section without a bear canister for your food, which we didn't have, so we couldn't stop short of Neel if we got too tired.. So, I texted Linda to meet us at Woody Gap, which she gladly did. After hiking th 6.6 miles to there from our camp site, the muscles around my left hip were whining fiercely! As we ate lunch together, we discussed what to do, and decided Sarah would join Linda in looking for shoes, and I would slack pack from there to Neel Gap, where we had a cabin reserved. Linda and Sarah have been to the top of Blood Mountain before, having day hiked there several years ago on a nicer day than today.I now felt like I was flying down the trail! My hip muscles were happy. I soon met up with Chloe and David, a young couple from the finger lakes region of NY. We found that their pace with full packs meshed with my pace with just water, snacks and rain gear. We had a great time getting to know each other and discussing all sorts of topics. David is a machinist, and that's one of the trades taught at Williamson. Chloe has a degree in visual journalism, and our son in law is a screen writer and director. Lots of good topics to discuss including personality/learning/communication types as well as life experiences! I had estimated to Linda that I'd get to Neel Gap by 5:00, which we would have easily made at that pace. However, we got there an hour later due mostly to extended breaks talking with each other and other folks we'd meet. Just before we headed up the final stretch to the too of Blood Mountain, we met Greg, a young man who, after working 5 years, had just finished paying off his college loans and was taking a break. Greg hiked and chatted with us the rest of the way to Neel Gap. Despite the misty rainy afternoon, the view from the top was still grand. There were a few folks at the shelter planning to spend the night. It's a pretty cool building with a front and back room and stone walls. The door and windows are all open, so the rain and wind can blow through, which is what is forecast for tonight. Hope they stayed dry and warm.When I got to the cabin, Linda and Sarah went out in the rain and got me pizza while I got a nice hot shower. I love those women!!! :-)