(2/25) Views and Miles
Today was fantastic all around. The store at Mountain Crossings usually doesn’t open until 9 am but they opened early today for us. We were able to pack up, resupply and hit the trail by 9:15. Part of my resupply included a tent. It hurt to spend money on a piece of gear I already had, but the other tent was just incapable of keeping me dry. Lesson learned.
The hike started in chilly fog but after a short time the fog began to clear. For a while the fog would roll through as we hiked, giving us occasional views and occasional thick fog. Then the fog was completely clear on one side and very thick on the other, giving views in one direction and a white sheet in the other. Not too much later the fog cleared completely and we were able to see the complete area around us for the first time in a day and a half. And they were great. We were able to see the entire range of mountains in the distance, which we had been hiking through.
After the fog cleared we stopped on a ridge with a view to eat lunch (and eat some weight out of our packs). Another hiker, who we met at Neel Gap, passed by and we offered for him to eat with us. His trail name is Osceola. After eating with us and chatting we hiked the next couple miles together. As we were hiking we passed two SOUTHBOUND hikers- meaning they have hiked the whole trail from Katahdin already this year. They were hiking very fast and did not stop to explain themselves, but it is crazy for them to have hiked the whole trail at this point. I don’t understand.
As we got closer to Low Gap shelter my knee started to slightly hurt on the down hills but I don’t think it’s serious as several other hikers said they had similar symptoms and that it was likely just strained tendons from hiking down hill so much. Selfishly, it’s good to know that other people are in the same boat.
We rested for a while at Low Gap shelter around 2 pm then started hiking again, aiming for a stealth site (an isolated camping site near the trail that is not associated with a physical structure) that was labeled in the guide books two miles after Low Gap. When we found the stealth site, it turned out to be occupied so we carried on unsure of where the next site would be as the guide books didn’t have more camping for the next 8 miles, and it was getting late.
After hiking about two more miles in uncertainty, we chanced upon and unlabeled stealth site just off the side of the trail, on top of a 3,700 foot peak. We set up, ate dinner, and hung our bear bags with breathtaking 360 degree views of all the mountain ranges we have been hiking through. To add insult to injury, we finished off the day with one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. (Picture from Tyler). In total we hiked around 14 miles.
I set up my new tent and we expect 40 degrees and clear skies tonight. I will sleep well. Tomorrow might snow in the pm and the terrain will be pretty rough, crossing over two 4,000 foot mountains within 5 miles of each other. But we only need to hike 22 miles over the next two days to make it to the next town, Hiawasee where we plan to stay at a Budget Inn that will give us free rides between the town and the trail. From Hiawasee we will only have about 10 miles until we cross out of Georgia and into North Carolina!
Goodnight.
Walker
Check out Tyler’s blog too- https://tylerat2020.blogspot.com/?m=1
The hike started in chilly fog but after a short time the fog began to clear. For a while the fog would roll through as we hiked, giving us occasional views and occasional thick fog. Then the fog was completely clear on one side and very thick on the other, giving views in one direction and a white sheet in the other. Not too much later the fog cleared completely and we were able to see the complete area around us for the first time in a day and a half. And they were great. We were able to see the entire range of mountains in the distance, which we had been hiking through.
After the fog cleared we stopped on a ridge with a view to eat lunch (and eat some weight out of our packs). Another hiker, who we met at Neel Gap, passed by and we offered for him to eat with us. His trail name is Osceola. After eating with us and chatting we hiked the next couple miles together. As we were hiking we passed two SOUTHBOUND hikers- meaning they have hiked the whole trail from Katahdin already this year. They were hiking very fast and did not stop to explain themselves, but it is crazy for them to have hiked the whole trail at this point. I don’t understand.
As we got closer to Low Gap shelter my knee started to slightly hurt on the down hills but I don’t think it’s serious as several other hikers said they had similar symptoms and that it was likely just strained tendons from hiking down hill so much. Selfishly, it’s good to know that other people are in the same boat.
We rested for a while at Low Gap shelter around 2 pm then started hiking again, aiming for a stealth site (an isolated camping site near the trail that is not associated with a physical structure) that was labeled in the guide books two miles after Low Gap. When we found the stealth site, it turned out to be occupied so we carried on unsure of where the next site would be as the guide books didn’t have more camping for the next 8 miles, and it was getting late.
After hiking about two more miles in uncertainty, we chanced upon and unlabeled stealth site just off the side of the trail, on top of a 3,700 foot peak. We set up, ate dinner, and hung our bear bags with breathtaking 360 degree views of all the mountain ranges we have been hiking through. To add insult to injury, we finished off the day with one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. (Picture from Tyler). In total we hiked around 14 miles.
I set up my new tent and we expect 40 degrees and clear skies tonight. I will sleep well. Tomorrow might snow in the pm and the terrain will be pretty rough, crossing over two 4,000 foot mountains within 5 miles of each other. But we only need to hike 22 miles over the next two days to make it to the next town, Hiawasee where we plan to stay at a Budget Inn that will give us free rides between the town and the trail. From Hiawasee we will only have about 10 miles until we cross out of Georgia and into North Carolina!
Goodnight.
Walker
Check out Tyler’s blog too- https://tylerat2020.blogspot.com/?m=1
I'm so glad you were able to get a new tent. Hopefully this one proves to be great for the remainder of the hike. Wonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteHope your knee causes no further pain. A rest in a few days will do you well.
Wonder if it could be due to a lack of milk...and 🤔😉
40 degrees for nighttime sleeping sounds great!
Hope you both can rest well and start your day refreshed!
Lori
It was a good temperature to sleep in! I don’t think that milk would not help the situation if you know what I mean.
DeleteThe Big Agnes will work great... disappointing on your other tent but you will now be dry. Hard to imagine meeting 2 hikers in February in Georgia going Southbound. The experiences they have gained from winter hiking and cold nights would be quite interesting to hear. When you boys are less than 50 miles from Katahdin, you will be hiking just as fast. Must be exhilarating to be so close to finishing! 32 more miles and you can check off your first state, very nice.
ReplyDeleteThe new tent has been amazing so far. Yeah we are very excited to finish our first state!
DeleteI love hearing about your trip and seeing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I’m glad you enjoy it
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