Rookie mistakes: the journey

53°am

64th pm

11.7 AT Miles, 43.0 Total AT Miles

Untouchable

I repacked my backpack early in the day, making sure I had all my warm gear easily accessible in anticipation of the temperatures dropping during the day. Above the Clouds Hostel started my transport at 07:45 after another big breakfast of scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast. We arrived at Neel Gap and I was on the road by 0800. I picked up extra Snickers bars at the Mountain Crossings store because I wanted to get to Low Gap Shelter as soon as possible due to the weather. I met a backpacker who was headed to the Mountain Crossings store about a half mile away and he said he made a rookie mistake by missing the store yesterday and arrived 15 minutes after they closed. The hiker’s name is Untouchable, because when he was eating the trail magic provided by Fresh Ground a few days before, he placed his backpack on top of the dog droppings and was awarded the trail name by Fresh Ground.

Where is my water?

After walking about a mile, stopping for a drink of water, and starting on my last Snickers bar, I realized I had also made a rookie mistake. One of my two water bottles had fallen over when I was in the shuttle and I hadn’t noticed. Unfortunately, I had drunk a good amount of water and was running out. To compound my mistake, I didn’t notice the next two streams of water off the trail, my mind again wandering all over the place as I walked. I wanted trail mix, but I left it out because it would increase my thirst. The weather was cool and windy, with a light fog in the air.

weekend hikers

I met more hikers today than the previous days. First, I met a Ridge Runner who worked on the trail. I later met a group of women who, because of my hearing loss, I thought were calling me a nerd. Turns out they were offering some candy to the Nerds to eat. They were part of a women’s hiking club. I met up with the family of four once again as they broke camp. As I approached Tenatee Gap, I came across a group of high school kids camping. I got lost (again) at this point and walked past the boys three times. By the time I left Tenatee, I was exhausted and climbing the trail slowly. Jennifer (CA) and Untouchable passed me by. I knew I could filter water at Hogpen Gap, I was informed that there were rumors of a great magical trail there.

Extraordinary magical trail

I guess I was about 30 minutes behind Jennifer and Untouchable when I got to Hogpen Gap. The rumors were not exaggerated. A Christian group provided me with all the water I needed, Gatoraide, and the best yellow cornbread with honey and butter I have ever tasted. They also gave cheese and chocolate along with a brownie to take away. They blessed me with a prayer before leaving.

Low Gap Shelter

Two miles later, I reached Low Gap Shelter. Filtered water and preparing to sleep in a shelter with Jennifer and Untouchable. The three of us chose the shelter because they predicted 40 mph winds that night with temperatures dropping overnight. We were concerned about debris falling from trees damaged by the recent storms. The family of four joined us at dusk and chose to sleep in a tent at the top of the hill. Jennifer and Untouchable play Uno with the kids while the parents prepare dinner. I found the toilet in the next county, as I did not want to experience a freezing toilet in the morning. While I slept, my feet, hands, and head stayed warm, but my body shivered all night because of the strong winds blowing around my quilt. It is not a night of rest. No mice.

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