Date: 2012-04-12
From: Campsite 4.7 miles in on AT

To: Gooch Shelter
Miles today: 11.1

Up around 7:30 today. A lot of condensation on my single walled tent (near stream?) but it did not get quite cold enough to freeze it. Last night we spent well over a half an hour looking for a tree to properly hang our bear bags. That was an interesting time. When I am picking a camp site from now on, I will take this into consideration as well. Big Rig and I both woke up with chest congestion as I assume our bodies are adjusting to our outdoor and colder conditions. Not to make my best friend sound vulgar or uncivilized, but he sure takes pride in hacking up a luger deep from his chest and depositing it on a nearby rock or tree. Hey, who am I to judge, everyone has hobbies.We broke down camp and headed for Hawk Mt Shelter for breakfast. About a mile in we heard a diesel droning away and as we got closer a scraping sound. We were placing bets on the noise and I was going with a bulldozer, Big Rig was thinking backhoe. We were both wrong as it turned out to be a large Kubota tractor pulling a plow through rocky soil.While hiking we met Peter from NC (Raleigh area I believe). Also two younger hikers Ryan and Sean whom we had seen the day before near dusk. They had hiked two miles past us and were just getting some water at a stream as we went by today. At Hawk Mt Shelter I partook of some OH's cereal and powdered milk. Big Rig likes to cook and took the time to make coffee and oatmeal mixed with hot chocolate for breakfast. Two other thru hikers we met were Rooster and Tink from TN. Young and full of bull energy, Rooster's pack weighs well in excess of 50 lbs, his girl friend Tink carried much less. It was also nice meeting Thunderfoot. He had attempted a thruhike in 2011 and had to get off near the half way point at Harpers Ferry due to stress fractures in his foot. He seems to be a strong hiker probably in his late 20's. I wish him luck this year.As we headed for Gooch during another beautiful day of hiking I had to shed my microfleece and hike in just my synthetic Tshirt. Passing through Horse Gap we passed by a couple, Alexis and Dan. They stated that they were headed north as far as they could go. Also saw Peter again at the gap. So many hikers, I am trying to record as many names as I can. I need to meet someone a good two or three times before the name usually sticks. I believe I got my wonderful memory from my Mom, but I don't remember for sure.I am quickly acquiring a love hate relationship for any place that includes the word 'Gap'. A gap is a place that may have a water source or some trail magic. It also usually has a steep ascent on both sides of it. Down at Cooper Gap, Survivor Dave (a local shuttle driver) was dropping off four gallons of water to give to the hikers. This is VERY much appreciated when hiking. This generosity is called trail magic and hikers thrive on it. He was pouring me some water and introduced himself. I immediately put my foot in my mouth as I said 'Oh, Survivor Dave...I spoke with you a few months ago about shuttling my friend from Atlanta to the approach trail'. It was to late to stop now. I explained that Big Rig had called another shuttle driver at the same time and went with him. He jokingly stopped pouring water and said that was all that I got since I did not go with his services. To his credit he did continue to fill my bottle to the top. Thanks Dave, we appreciate what you do.Up the trail a little we met three hikers from Israel. Shalomi was getting off at Hiawassee and the other two were going up to TN.We reached Gooch Shelter with enough light to eat and set up for the night. I set up my tent and Big Rig opted for the shelter. We want to get an early start if possible and push for Neels Gap. Lots of hikers at the shelter including three tenters that did not present themselves, Thunderfoot, Jay (I definitely do not think that this is his real name now), Ryan, Sean, Rooster, Tink, Peter and just met Jonathan. Also met Kevin from OH. Dillard just rolled in as I am writing this.My tent is set up on a flat site that has a nice overlook of the gap. Of course in a few minutes all I will see is darkness. Wow, the stars are bright! Temps were in the 60s today and tonight will be around 40 or so. Good Night.