Date: 2015-03-20
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 15.9

I didn't plan on doing a 15 + mile day but poor planning and a fear of getting fined for not having a bear cannister prompted me to make it to the hostel at Neels Gap. I started my morning with grits to which I added the other half of the package of bacon and olive oil for a satisfying start to my day. I showed one of the hikers how to dry of their tent by hoisting it on a bear cable and then shaking it out in midair which gets most of the water out. Then you can let it sit and it will soon be dry. Other hikers took notice and soon the bear cable sported several tents in the morning sunlight. My legs were feeling better and after some stretching I was off planning to hit the shelter before Blood Mountain that night. It was a good climb early and beautiful scenery along the way. I climbed up Ramrock Mountain, Big Cedar Mountain with it's beautiful ledges and views. Then there was Gaddis Mountain which went by easily. I had been careful to keep up with my anti-chaffe lotion so hiking was more pleasant. Before I made it to the Woods Hole shelter, at the side trail, I was informed that a bear canister was needed to camp in that area, even before Blood Mountain and that a Ridgerunner was in the area, possibly at the shelter. Instead of backtracking and adding miles, I instantly decided to press on to Neel Gap. I had hiked this area before with my wife and had actually taken the bypass trail which was, I'm told, actually harder than hiking over Blood Mountain. (My wife also lost her fanny pack somewhere along the way.) I was already getting very tired as I started climbing Blood Mountain and I was astounded at the amount of labor used to build the trail and shelter the climb seemed to last forever as the rain came down. The stone stairway must have consumed thousands of man hours to complete and was a monumental amount of work that all had to be done by hand! I was disappointed at the shelter's open interior as rain just came in the open windows and door making the shelter useless exempt unless you set up your tent inside the shelter. The fireplace was blocked over and unusable. I think that in hot weather it would be very cool with how open the shelter is, It wasn't now. I'm exhausted at this point and ate something to stop the growling from my stomach and to generate body heat energy and drop pack weight. As I carefully make my way down the mountain I found an elderly man who had wandered off of the trail and was about 100ft off the trail. He had followed a animal trail and missed the switchback and had gotten lost. I got him safely back on track to the shelter, after telling him of its condition. I kept descending and soon began hearing traffic which was music to my ears. It was pretty treacherous going down as there were areas of bare rock that were slipper when wet. I was sure glad for my hiking poles to stabilize myself. Today, for the first time while climbing Blood Mountain, I also listened to U2, Joshua Tree my iPod to motivate me and I found myself singing along to "I Still Haven't Found what I'm Looking For" which actually gave me energy and I breathed easier. I stumbled into the hostel. I must have been looking pretty rough as I barely remember the way Baltimore Jack looked concerned and immediately guided me to my bunk where I stowed my gear and then made my way to the common area. Jack grabbed my arm and led me to a steamy Plate of heaven! Lasagna! My favorite food. I didn't feel hungry but ate to be courteous but soon had cleaned my plate and finished my Power aid drink. Jack questioned me about my day and scolded me for doing such a foolish thing and putting myself in such danger. I listened, agreeing and feeling like a chastised schoolchild and promised to be more careful in the future. I then showered and staggered off to bed.