Day 5 - Wood's Hole Shelter to Baggs Creek Gap

Made it to Neels Gap today and had my first hot shower. It was better than good!
 

Oh, back to last night. Hung out at the shelter with Charlie, Murph (found out she’s a pediatrician!), Izzy, Dick, Dennis, and Ed (college student from Penn.). Also, two high school kids on Spring Break were there (Mayonnaise and Tobasco Ass). They have lots of funny stories and aren’t shy at all. 

Mayonnaise and Tobasco Ass

Wanted to start a fire, but as soon as we did two hikers came over and told us fires aren’t allowed. It was cold! The wind just whipped over that mountain top. As soon as the sun set, everyone jumped into their sleeping bags.

It was early – I didn’t even want to look at the time, given the Daylight Savings factor. But we got into bed and tried to sleep. Amazingly, I haven’t been having bad nights. I never look at my watch during the night. I don’t have a job to get up for, so it’s not as stressful as it could be. And we’re in the tent for a long time – at least 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m., so I must be doing OK sleepwise.

It is tough to get out of a warm sleeping bag, though. Wore two pairs of socks, face mask, hat, and long johns to bed. The wind was howling all night. Awoke to bits of snow/frost on the ground. Had to walk to the top of Blood Mountain to make it to Neels Gap. Not a bad hike. Views from the top were amazing. 

Shelter at the top of Blood Mountain

Then it was down to Neels Gap, the only building the trail actually runs through. Immediately signed up for a shower. It felt so good. Heavenly! Hung out, called home. We resupplied at the store for the next three days; I had a fish sandwich and was good to go. Another hiker received a huge care package and was offering brownies and chocolate-covered pretzels to everyone.

Murph, Gail, Charlie, Kerri, Dave, and Orion

After about a three-hour break, we were ready to move on. Did four miles to a campsite near the top of a mountain. Much warmer than last night. The high school kids are here, Murph, Charlie, Izzy, Ryan, and Orion. Gail kept going to meet up with Matt, Dreamwalker, and Dennis. Oh yeah, Charlie bought a 12-pack of Coke and brought it up to the Wood’s Hole Shelter yesterday. Yum. But too cold out to enjoy it to its full potential.

Day 4 - Gooch Gap Shelter to Wood's Hole Shelter

It wasn’t a great night, not quite sure why. A little cold. Very windy. Heard a few coyotes during the night.

It was daylight savings night, so we lost an hour. Getting up at 7:15 felt like 6:15. Tim told us it was supposed to rain all day, and it started out looking that way. It actually began to hail, then we had a few flakes of snow.

Cold day – and very windy. But going uphill makes you want to take off your heavy layers. It was a long walk, but we made good time. Got here first, along with Dennis.

Will be a cold night tonight, as there’s no protection from the wind. Already have both pairs of long underwear on, hat, jacket, and gloves. Plan to make it to Neels Gap tomorrow for my first shower (in five long, sweaty days!) I really can’t imagine what the summer is going to be like. I almost need the cold, I think, to keep me from overheating.

Hopefully my pack will be lighter in the summer. There are things I’d like to have with me (another camera, better pillow, small light), but not if I have to carry them up and down mountains. I’m thankful that Dave helped me pare down my load before we left (although I did complain at the time). I’m wondering if there’s anything I can send back home tomorrow.