Date: 2016-01-03
From: Blood Mtn Shelter

To: Mountain Crossings Hostel
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: clear sky

Wow. Yesterday was crazy! I started my period and had an epic Diva Cup fail. I realized a few miles down the trail I had bled through my pants, so Annie and I stopped to shed layers, peel and adjust the Diva. After I had emptied and cleaned the Diva, I was attempting to put it in its proper place when what appeared to be an Asian tour group of 10-15 people continued to pass by for a full 10 minutes; then came a young girl who stopped to chat; then there were the trail runners. What the hell? I finished my chore in a more than foul mood and broke down due to my monthly visitor, the fact we were put significantly behind scheudle, and the fact I would be saying good bye to my wife, whom I would not see again for another 2 months. Sunshine (a section hiker we met the night before) showed up and offered some pantyliners. Though I told her I already had some, she continued to insist until I finally accepted them. We caught up with her a short while later and she followed us to Woody Gao, talking non-stop the entire way. At Woody Gap, I re-stocked and re-packed while Sunshine continued to offer whatever she had in her pack she felt would be useful, successfully usurping the last private moments I had with my wife. She eventually set off and Annie and I had our tearful goodbyes. Filled with emotion (a mix of anger, sadness, and insanity...yes, I know insanity is not an emotion..), I set off at a quick pace, determined to make it to a shelter by nightfall. I eventually caught up with Sunshine and decided to hike with her to Blood Mountain. On the way, her GPS failed and she feared we were lost; luckily, I knew how to use a map and a compass and were made it to our destination around 7pm well after the sun had set. Everyone in the shelter had already bedded down for the night and almost did not make room for me (they had saved a spot for Sunshine). I went to bed without dinner and a little miffed. The next morning, I set out early (without breakfast) for Mountain Crossings Hostel, a short 1.5 mile hike, where I planned to stay the next 2 nights. When I arrived, I was told the hostel was closed for renovations....WHAAAAAAATTTT?!?!? (They also had no pads) I almost cried. They did, however, have a freezer with biscuits, of which I helped myself to 2 and Blue Eyes (an employee and former thru-hiker) hooked me up with a cup of beer. Afterwards, I bought some supplies (food, rain jacket, pack covert) and prepared a box to mail back home. AI reorganized my pack & Pretzel (a friend of Blue Eyes) bought me pads, a salad, and fruit during a run into town. Blue Eyes suggested I call Blood Mountain Cabins, but the office was closed. I tried calling the Hiker Hostel, but it was a $30 shuttle each way, so I decided to give hitching a go. I wrote a note explaining my situation and sat outside the Hostel's outfitter store, but people simply walked past looking the other way. I went inside to get my pack so I could stand at the road with my thumb out when a lovely family gave me a ride to Wolf Pen Country store. I took a shower, cleaned my clothes, and ate a meal I didn't have to cook over my camp stove (can chili, hot dog, Fritos, and salad). I spoke with my mom, my wife, and passed out on the couch listening to the howling winds outside.