Date: 2016-03-08
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: few clouds

Day 16 - Carter Gap Shelter to Rock Gap ShelterToday was a very interesting day. I think I experienced every emotion on the spectrum. I slept horribly last night. I found out that I set my tent up on a very gentle slope. I woke up around 1:30am with all my toes numb and my digestive system was not working (as in no flatulence). Simply could not sleep. I was completely awake staring at the ceiling of my tent. Around 4am I flipped my body around so my head was higher than my feet. This immediately made a difference. Blood began circulating to my feet and my digestive system went back to normal. Still didn't fall asleep until 5am but slept deeply until my alarm went off at 6:30am.It was amazing bc we were awakened by 2 owls hooting to one another. They had to have been in the middle of our camp bc it seemed to be coming from right above us. It was so relaxing and calming to wake up in your warm sleeping bag to very distinct and (to me) rare sounds of nature. I have never had an experience like this and I feel lucky.Eventually everyone got up and moving. I really enjoy being around this group of hikers. Shrink, Santa, and Wonder are all fantastic, kind, and caring people to be around. We also met two section hikers who are faculty (not sure if both are) at UGA. Their names are Brian and Norbert and they stayed up with us around the fire and were so fun to talk/listen to. Brian is from all over (born in France, grew up in Holland, California, etc) and Norbert is from Florida although I didn't catch exactly where. So many Floridians on the trail! Wish they were thru-hiking but they said they might come to Rock Gap to see us again. We hiked out around 8:30am.It was AK, Quick, Shrink and Ria. We had 6 miles to Albert Mtn. After 4 miles we came to Betty Creek campground (by this time Shrink had fallen behind bc of his hurt knee) and Ria and I stopped to take our shoes and socks off. We try to do this at east twice a day and it really helps to keep our feet dry and fresh. From there we headed uphill for a 2.5 mile climb to the top. Gradual at first. AK and Quick pulled away, Shrink fell behind so Ria and I were left to hike alone. I think these are the times I most enjoy while hiking. Even when we silently hike, I prefer hiking with just Ria. We have a great time, know when to lift each other's spirits, when to laugh and often feel the same about pushing through to our goal. I am very grateful for her presence. Without a doubt I couldn't do this without her. The terrain began to change and all of a sudden it felt like we were hiking in a temperate rain forest. 70 degrees on the side of a mountain, lots of water, beautiful rocks, boulders, greenery, moss, dripping water on a bed of moss. I would say this has been the most interesting terrain so far. We ran into AK and Quick who were waiting for us at the base of the straight up section of the mountain. 500 ft straight up. Immediately it was rock scrambling. My calves were on fire and I had my poles under my arms so that I could better use my hands. At one point the weight of my pack began pulling me backward and I got nervous but I regained balance and continued.The top of Albert Mtn was absolutely breathtaking. We were so high up (5200 ft) that parts of the view were hazy from the heat. There is a firetower at the top which we climbed as well. I climbed it but immediately went back down bc it gave me the heebie jeebies. We sat down and had a long lunch. Ria and I took our shoes off and laid ourselves out on the rock like snakes soaking up the sun. Noah from Carter Gap showed up and hung for awhile. AK and Quick went on and Shrink, Ria, Noah and I left about 10 minutes later. We had 6 more miles to Rock Gap Shelter and we were all extremely fatigued from the climb. Shrink fell back and Noah stopped for water and again it was just Ria and I. Our legs were exhausted and feet in pain. Luckily, my knee and her Achilles has not been giving us any pain which is huge but she didn't sleep well 2 nights ago and I barely slept last night so we were absolutely exhausted. This is when you become slap happy. We dragged our poles behind us at one point. Tripped every other step from lazy feet, laughed til we cried, then focused silence where each of us know the other is dying with every step. The straightaways become the hardest bc there's no challenge so your feet become even lazier and you feel as if you could walk with your eyes closed.At 2 miles from the shelter we began our uphill and I turned on rap music to get us up the hill. It was great, we sang and danced up the last uphill and walked faster than we had all day. Once we came over the top and started to go downhill I turned the music off and we began to remember the pain in our feet. My toes in particular are menacing me with every step. But this is what everyone out here feels it's up to me to decide my attitude. Ria and I rolled into Rock Gap Shelter around 4pm. This location is interesting for several reason:Controlled forest fires in the distance plus ranger helicopters.A tree fell on this shelter while hikers were inside (no one hurt)They repaired the shelter in February 24th so everything looks new with the huge fallen tree chopped up beside it.Santa, Wonder, Coco Ken, Quick, AK, and a new guy named Tim were here. Noah and Shrink eventually showed up. Ria and I set out tents directly next to the shelter. I have REALLY enjoyed Santa and Wonder's company. They are very concerned about who is around us and they make me feel safe. Santa is 6'4 and a 12th grade teacher while Wonder is a petite 5'5 and a kindergarten teacher. They have 3 daughters one of which (Courtney) is an attorney in Massachusetts. They are taking a Nero tomorrow in Franklin but we are trying to convince them to take a zero with us the next day so we can stay on track with us.While talking to Wonder (she and Santa were telling me about the condition of some of the poorest ppl in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Also apparently they got married when she was 23 and went to Jamaica for their honeymoon...don't know why this makes me so happy but I think it's just so wonderful) Brian and Norbert showed up!!!! Excited that they decided on the 12.1 mile day to spend the evening with us. A big group of very serious seeming AT thru-hikers rolled in. All male and one had a large "AT" tattoo on his calf which was cool. They didn't say much to us but seemed nice. We all said goodnight around 8:30pm and crawled into our tents. I'm hoping to sleep soundly tonight bc we want to be up and moving by 6am tomorrow to catch the shuttle into town by 9:45. AK graciously made reservations for us at Haven's Budget Inn which was very nice. Oh, before signing off tonight, Shrink described his limo as very closely imitating that of Far Joe the rapper's limp in his song, "lean back." Literally looks exactly like the move in the music video and Ria and I cried with laughter today. Hard day but everything is simply wonderful. P.s. Paul texted us and said that he's leaving Franklin in the morning but would be willing to take a Nero to wait for us!