Date: 2004-03-20
From: Walasi-Yi

To: Whitley Gap 
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: few clouds

9:10 AM I think I got enough rest for one night. The breathing sounds and soft snoring were actually comforting, compared to the howling wind and creeping, unidentified animals. I just met Josh who shuttled Joanne to the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega both from Horse Gap (not Hightower) to Woody and from Neels Gap back to the trail this morning. He had gone to Horse Gap just to see if anyone needed anything. It is cloudy this morning and there have been a few drops of rain. Someone here just mentioned that he saw some canines on the trail that he thinks are red wolves ¢ too big and the wrong color for coyotes. That¢s an exciting piece of news. I¢m getting a little chilled writing in the main passage out the door, so I think I will quit writing and really get ready to hike.Levelland Mountain ¢ Lunch with Isaac from Kentucky. He doesn¢t know why he wants to do this hike. Its just something he felt like he had to do. He¢s a carpenter a year out of high school.I saw a man this morning in front of the Walasi-Yi who was recording bird songs. He had hiked the whole trail before and made notes on where he wanted to go back and record with his high-tech heavy equipment. He suggested that the bird we saw on top of Blood Mountain was a nuthatch. ( 4/08/04: I checked the Peterson¢s Guide. It is a Northern Junco.) The pretty bird song I first noticed at Slaughter Gap, and now keep hearing, is a red-eyed vireo. I have yet to actually see what the bird looks like.I hiked a few minutes, more like a half-hour with PilPro this morning. He is some sort of Reformed Baptist from Bakersfield California. He is between jobs. I gave him advice on how to avoid blisters ¢ change socks often. The mountain is gorgeous. The sun is out and I need to get back on the trail if I want to avoid a sunburned neck.Songs for the trail ¢ PilPro was singing "Love Lifted Me." I was singing "In the Lord I¢ll be ever thankful" and "Lead me Lord." Blessed are the pure in heart. 1:50 PM Wolf Laurel Top. The grass campsite is beautiful. The GATC work crew has seen 45 hikers headed for Maine. Shirley from Cartersville reported that and offered me, and some of the other hikers, some of her homemade energy bars. I ate a piece but I am happier with my trail mix. Welsh Nomad arrived shortly after me.4:00 PM a gap. I got water at the first blue blazed trail after Wolf Laurel. I was afraid to run out before Low Gap. I am moving slower than I had hoped but I need to look after my feet and knees. The flower of the day is Bluet. Welsh Nomad pointed one out that I might have missed. I saw a couple earlier in the day. Welsh Nomad arrived and remarked on having had a problem with the fried food last night. I guess I was lucky or I just didn¢t overeat.I was thinking of my bunk-mate Casey and his snoring and moaning and thrashing around last night. He is writing a lot in his journal, but when I commented on his diligence, he looked blank. He didn¢t know the word "diligent."The view off Cowrock was spectacular. I could see the Richard Russell scenic highway a long way off and for a long time coming off Cowrock Mountain.9:15 PM I overestimated my ability to carry a 40 pound pack for 8 hours straight. I finally had to stop and make dinner at 5:15PM. The alcohol stove worked great. I don¢t need to use a full 2 ounces of fuel to make what I need. I passed a beautiful little grassy patch with daffodils and crocuses after dinner. I took the path to Whitley Gap shelter and was happy to see Casey, my bunk-mate of the previous night, set up in a tent not too far off the trail. I invited myself to share the same site and he did not object. It took along time for me to get the tent set up right. I may need to refine my technique a bit. The skill I really need to work on is putting stuff sacks up in trees. It took me until after 7:30 to finally get the rope over the limbs and get the sacks secured high enough. I went down the trail in the dark to get water. Another Casey and Jayne gave me some of their water. I am very grateful. Casey agreed to mail a letter for me. Then was I was walking up the path to get back to the tent, the first Casey came down with is sleeping bag. He was afraid to stay in his tent with a thunderstorm coming. I went back to the tent, but before I got there, the rain started falling. I put on all my rain gear, but I still got pretty damp in spots as I made my way back to the tent and then worked to adjust the poles and fly. I didn¢t get inside the tent until the storm passed, but the thunder was never very close to the lightning flashes. The wind is roaring now, but I feel safe here as any place I¢ve tented before. I will write my letter and turn in.