Day 2: Gooch to Neel Gap-ish – 16 miles

Woke up early and broke camp quick.  Our goal was to get out before the crowd an make it to Neel Gap.  That meant taking on Blood Mountain – the first big mountain.

Blood Mountain

“FUCK THIS SHIT!!” – an old man at the top of Blood Mountain.
It is big, it is tall, and it is full of rocks.  This mountain sucked.  Nothing more to say.  I tried to use the privy, but it was filled with bees.  I opted against that.  The shelter on Blood Mountain was a very cool stone shelter built early in the history of the AT.

Trail Magic

We made it to Neel Gap just as they were closing.  We ran in and grabbed some sandwiches.  We are on the patio and chatted with other hikers.  As we ate, a church group pulled up and brough three trays of lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and cake.  My face was that of a kid on Christmas morning.  Warm food is soooo good.  With a full belly, we hiked on for another bit and set up camp.  I set up my first bear line and it only took 11 tries on three different trees.