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Day 3 – Don’t Sleep On Wood’s Hole Shelter
And when I say don’t sleep on it, I mean do sleep there. Because it’s lit (even though you can’t technically have fires there, boo).
Day 3 started off great, I finally had a decent-ish night’s sleep. Had hot coffee and buttered toast and some hikerbox carnation instant breakfast (A hikerbox is like a first-come first-serve donation box for things people don’t want or aren’t going to eat. AKA free food/supplies). I donated one of my two ACE wraps that I brought.
The folks at Hidden Pond Hostel dropped us off at Gooch Gap around 8:30. I hiked with Jason from the hostel for the first 5 miles until we got to Woody Gap. The first 5 miles were as he described “Cruze-y”. Which I would agree and is also I word I am now stealing. We had lunch together before I departed. The Derek Cafeteria was serving Tuna and Pepperoni on Tortilla (it got rave reviews).
Also across the street was apparently a Trail Magic stand that another hiker informed me of later in the day. I MISSED MY FIRST TRAIL MAGIC OPPORTUNITY (crying face emotion). The rest of the days hiking went by slower and it was again mainly solo. I hike another 6 miles approximately 2/3 of the way up Blood Mountain (the highest peak along the AT in Georgia, 4458 ft).
Random thought of the day: Is yelling “BEAR!” in a shelter equivalent to yelling “FIRE” in a crowded building?
Wood’s Hole Shelter is a fabulous location for a couple reasons. Number one, it’s on a bluff outcropping with a great view of sunset. The shelter is small but clean and has a covered picnic bench. It has a fire pit (although fires have not been allowed since 2013 according to the signage). Cellular service is solid. Also Logistically, as I said it’s 2/3 up Blood Mountain which breaks up the long summit to the top over a couple days.
It was also appear it’s under-utilized. The logbook (which I’ve been calling the “Captains Log”) hasn’t had an entry for a few days. And as of this writing, I’m the only person here.
All in a pretty solid day. I’m feeling stronger and stronger. I did just over 11 miles. I do need to figure out my footwear rotation better though. The end of the day in Chacos has been great and I might need to use them more often to prevent hotspots. My wool socks and shoes combo might get less future miles in the rotation. But for now I’m officially over 1% done on the Appalachian Trail!
Stow away in my pack for Day 4 for on the AT.
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Comments 15
Derek,
Enjoying your writing.
Keep it up…best of luck on the trail.
Thanks Jon! Much appreciated 🙂
No trail name yet? How about “Cruze”?
Not yet Christi, just letting it happen naturally. No rush out here
Derek,
I’m following and enjoying your post.
Keep it going and have fun 🙂
Thanks Bere! I appreciate the follow 🙂
Day 3 haha
Interesting watch, what is the make/model? More toys for my future trip!
Hey Sparks, it’s an Apple Watch. Just using the hiking activity feature to log my days 🙂
Like the watch. What is it ? It need an app for that info?
Hey Tim, it’s an Apple Watch. Just using the hiking activity app to log my days (when theres enough battery for it)
What about the trail name combo? You seem to be a little bit of everything! Good luck on your hike. I hope to hike in 2030. To celebrate being an empty nester and my 50th bday. Until then I live through all of you guys who are currently hiking!!!
Still looking for a trail name. Nothing has stuck yet. I’m definitely all over the place though. Best of luck in 2030!
What model/year of the watch? I have been looking but really don’t need one with built in cellular when I can link one to my Apple cell phone.
Great comments, look forward to more
(Name “Sparks”, I was a radio officer on a ship who’s nickname is always “sparks” or “Sparky”, after the original radio officers (think “Titanic”)
where the transmitter (morse code) was actually a generator with one lead of the output to the antenna and each time you keyed the
transmitter you got “sparks” and ozone in the air!)
Loved Wood’s Hole shelter. A little off the beaten path. Met Drive thru and Frosty (Carl and Wendy) and shared the shelter while my buddy pitched. As conversations go we asked each other why we were hiking. They said they were on their honeymoon. To which I replied, “I hope I am not interrupting any amorous plans tonite.”