We Survived A Week!!

Day 5

Woody Gap to Woods Hole Shelter 7.2 miles official AT mileage, and 0.4 miles blue blazing to the shelter.

Lots of elevation gain today, and fun fact, we are climbing Blood Mountain, home of Cocaine Bear. Beautiful day, sunny and 60s. Got some trail magic in the middle of the woods from Thor, class of 1999.

Arrived at Woods Hole to an empty shelter, so got to spread out. A ridge runner showed up, just three of us girls here tonight. This is a short section of the trail where bear canisters are required, so most people skip it. Beary Cannilow came in handy already. Amazing sunset, campfire, and a coyote howling in the distance. Mouse spotted in our cabin, now named Herschel.

Tomorrow, we summit Blood Mountain, and then do the treacherous descent. Plan to hit Mountain Crossing Outfitters to dial in our gear, and then Blairsville. Friday looks like rain and lightning all day, so that may be our first zero day.

Day 6

Woods Hole Shelter, over Blood Mountain to Neels Gap, mile 31.3.

Lots of ascent followed by some treacherous descent, with a stop at the shelter at top for lunch. A wolf spider (I think) interrupted my lunch but took off too fast to get his picture.

Fun fact: 25% of hikers intending to thru hike give up by or at Neels Gap.

Stopped at Mountain Crossings store to switch out some gear, and I got a lightweight buff as I’d been admiring Caroline’s. We tried but did not see Orange Kitty. Had our first trail pizza, a long-standing tradition at Mountain Crossings. Yes, we were so hungry we ate some before I remembered to take a picture.

We made a poor attempt to hitch hike to Blairsville.  People acknowledged us and waved, but no one stopped.  A shuttle driver happened to be on his way back to town and offered us a ride.

Checked in to Seasons Inn Hotel, and found they are very hiker friendly. We raided the hiker boxes and borrowed clothes to wear while doing our laundry.

Hit town for a beer and Mexican food and stayed up well past our bedtime until about 1030.

Day 7 Planned stay in town to ride out the storm and took our first zero day. I contacted Big Agnes about a tent issue (a plastic clip broke, and I can use an extra stake for now, but the problem is so common they have a field repair kit they will send me).

I needed a lightweight sun protective shirt and managed to find one in a thrift store. Hit a Cuban restaurant recommended by a ridge runner for lunch, and then a grocery store for dinner and resupply. After days of trail food, we were both craving fresh fruits and veggies.  We bought ALL the fruits and vegetables and had a feast in our room instead of going out to dinner.

Ran into Miss Janet and her doggie Dexter at the hotel and got caught up. She’s following and providing support all the way to Katahdin and offered to help me figure out how to get home in a month (I am taking a planned trip back home in April for a week or two).

Spent the evening wearing a bedsheet toga style so every bit of clothing I’m carrying could be washed.

Bumped into some other hikers while walking to the grocery store, and will be sharing a shuttle ride back to Neels Gap with them at 7:30 a.m.