Date: 2018-12-05
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Mountain Crossing hostel
Miles today: 21.2

I was up before the 5:15 alarm went off. I got dressed and hauled my gear downstairs to the lobby at 6 leaving it outside. As I entered the lobby I saw the clerk sleeping in a chair. I quietly me and dirt over to the bagels and put one in the toaster. When it popped up it woke her, I didn't say anything I just went about my business of getting my breakfast. I filled myself on a bagel and to yogurt and took a bagel and cinnamon raisin pastry to go. Gene arrived just before 6:45 and we loaded my car into the back of his car and headed to Dick's Creek gap trailhead where he picked me up yesterday. It was still dark out he maneuver the car so his headlights would shine on the trail so I bundled up and put on my headlamp so I'd be able to see. I crossed the road and headed up into my first climb of the day. I turned around about 30 minutes into the hike and saw the beautiful sunrise that was at my back. The trail was rocky in spots today requiring a bit more time to hike those areas but there was also a nice flat section that rolled out for a couple of miles. If it weren't for the relentless bitter wind today would have been a nice day. But I forgot to clear my line for my water bladder and thus it froze and I couldn't drink from it for hours. I tucked it between my fleece and 2 under layers and it did eventually thaw. I had a 16 oz bottle of electrolytes I kept in my skirt pocket to prevent freezing. The wind made it impossible to be without gloves for more than a minute. This in turn made it difficult to eat. I managed to get the pastry in me with my gloves on by holding it in the plastic wrapper but when it came to getting the peanut butter on the bagel I could only manage half. The were 2 shelters today but both were off trail and one was 1.2 miles off trail so it wasn't practical to get out of the wind. The last snack I managed was a partially frozen protein bar which I also held by the wrapping. I was hungry and grumpy AKA Hangry because this wasn't enough fuel to sustain my hike. At the bottom of the last climb and 2.2 miles from the hostel I stood and almost cried. I just wanted to be done and fed and watered and warm. I saw 12 people on trail today. 2 were young guys making a YouTube video and looking ridiculous in shorts and a t-shirt hopping around with one sock on and the other off shouting and flailing arms. I didn't know what to think when I came upon them, to me it looked like they needed help. 9 of the others were nobo section hikers and 1 who said he's at the early part of his thru hike. I think he'll be surprised if he makes it to NH in a few months! Gene had dropped my backpack off at Mountain Crossing hostel for me along with a sleeping bag I'm borrowing. I sent my gear ahead and this hostel doesn't provide linens so Gene offered a bag. Very kind of him! When I finally arrived at the Mountain Crossing at 4pm I picked my pizza and drinks, got my towel for my shower and proceeded to the bunk room. My pack wasn't there so I went back up to the store and the very helpful girl who checked me in called around and learned it has been put in a tote so the mice wouldn't mess with it. So... I guess I really won't be alone tonight was my thought. I returned to the bunk room and located my pack. I devoured the pizza and washed it down with my hot cider and a grape soda before stepping back outside in the wind and cold to make calls for a shuttle and accommodations for tomorrow. Then I sat on my bunk noticing how cool it was in there. No central heat just 2 little electric radiator heaters plugged in. Gene's sleeping bag is looking toasty! I took a shower skipping the hair washing and climbed into the bag with my shorts and wool base layer top. Toasty indeed. I think I'll sleep well here. The weather is supposed to be less windy tommorow and I'm hiking around 16 miles. So far I haven't seen a mouse but I hung my bags just in case!