About two hours in, I came to a long stretch that snaked its way steadily back and forth as it steeply went down hill. Not long after starting the descent I felt a slight twinge in my left calf. I stopped and stretched for a minute and continued onward. Steadily the twinge became a little more sharper, almost feeling like a cramp.
Thankfully this day had one of the biggest climbs so far, over a placed called Blood Mountain. I looked forward to each climb because nothing hurt as I was going up. It seemed as if the uphills made my knee and calf loosen up, so for a while there was no pain. I ran in to two older guys also attempting a thru-hike named, "Jarhead" and "Grandbob". I hiked with them on the main ascent towards the peak, a never ending series of switchback going ever upward. Happy we were climbing, I was smiling.
Needless to say I wasn't staying there that night. Besides, it was early in the day and I was feeling good. After taking a few pictures I started the long hike down. I kept my strides short and steady. Twenty minutes of nothing but rocky descent I came to a place called Neel's Gap. This is a hiking outfitter directly on the trail at a road crossing. They are known for their friendly staff and outrageous prices. They also offer free gear shake downs. That is where they go through all of your gear and give their advise as to what to keep, what to upgrade and what to get rid of. I passed on the service, feeling like I had made good choices from the beginning, except of course for the insoles in my first pair of boots.
There were a lot of other thru-hikers milling about and it seemed like most were planning on staying there for the night. I still felt great so I decided to keep on going further. So off I went. The next part was pretty mild with gentle rolling up and downhills. Three miles in, I ran into the older couple I met a few days back named, "Heading out", and "Tagging along". "Tagging along" greeted with me a big hug and an even bigger smile. She said she didn't think she would see me again. "Heading out" told me that "Big Dumb Animal", my buddy from the previous section, was about two or three hours ahead of me. He said that he had dropped forty of his original seventy-five pounds that he was carrying and was much happier and faster. I felt motivated to try and catch him so I said my farewells and headed off.
I soon came to a place called Tesnatee Gap. Here I had to make a decision in the fading light, to camp for the night or push on one last big climb to a shelter a mile or so ahead. Obviously, I pushed on. Up, up, up I went as the sun raced down. I had a big smile on my face because I knew I was an idiot. The smart thing was obviously to stay at that gap, but what fun is that. Also, this mountain I was now climbing was the same mountain that I saw from the overlook with the tornado damage. As the light was turning grey I came upon the intersection for the shelter. Here, "Big Dumb Animal" and a guy I met the second day named "J Beard" had set up camp. Greetings and pats on the back were exchanged and they cleared out room for me to set up my tent. I had a hasty dinner as the sun set and then we all retreated to our sleeping bags as night set in. We stayed up telling dirty jokes for a couple hours and slowly fell asleep.
J Beard, Big Dumb Animal, Frenchy |
The rest of the morning was mild hiking but soggy conditions. Pain was intermittent, but tolerable. We stopped for lunch at a place called Low Gap shelter, where "J Beard" and a few others were also drying out and eating. I used the privy here and if I tell you the smell struck me like a bat, that would be an understatement.
Late midday we came to a place called Blue Ridge shelter. It was the end of the mild hiking for a while. Afterward was a thousand foot decline, a road, then immediately back up a thousand feet. We stopped to eat and get out of the rain. "Big Dumb Animal" was talking about pushing on, and I was getting colder. He wanted to stay about six miles away and I felt my joints getting stiffer. I also had run out of food. When packing my food bag I accidentally left out my main dinner meals. So each day I was eating into my meals for the next. Reluctantly, I told "Big Dumb Animal" that I was going to stay at the shelter the night and get picked up in the morning. We finished eating in silence. He packed up, we shook hands and away he went. I sat in the shelter trying to warm up.
"J Beard" showed up not long after and planned to stay the night as well. We set our tents up near each other and prepared for a cold wet night. As darkness fell I retreated into my tent, massaged my knee, calves and feet then fell asleep to the sound of pouring rain, not caring if I got a few drops on me.
I wonder what failed with the poncho thing. It seemed waterproof enough... did it tear? How did it leak?
ReplyDeleteThe sleeves let water right through and it even seemed like the poncho was letting water in. On top of that the cuff with the elastic that I made came undone. That was the point I said to myself that I just need to but something.
DeleteNot wishing for a horse yet? Enjoying your trek trials and aha's
ReplyDeleteUgg, when my knee and calf were hurting the worst I would have given anything to let a horse carry me down the next hill.
DeleteYou are Jersey Strong. Thanks for keeping us posted.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a new leather boot that is being painfully molded by the forces around it.
DeleteLove the adventure with you...LOVE the pics!!! Sending you happy knee, calf and feet thoughts. Ollie misses you
ReplyDeleteSpanks Tori. Give him a kiss on the nose for me.
DeleteLove reading your adventures, thanks Matt.
ReplyDeleteI am happy I can retell them to you. I hope all is well with you.
DeleteI met a woman at a ranch this weekend who gave me your link. The Dillard house, she works with the horses there and gave me your info. She is pregnant about 9 weeks due. I can't remember her name but she gave us your link. I have hiked sections of the AT in Georgia. Three weeks ago I did a half day hike from Woody gap to Neels gap. Blood mtn is along that path. Anyway good luck and I will be reading. I would rather be lost in the woods than found in the city...
ReplyDeleteThat is my dear friend Andrea who hosted me while in Hiawassee. I hope it doesn't seem like I am whining too much, but Georgia is no joke. It kicked my butt pretty thoroughly.
DeleteNot at all. I have yet to hike the entire section in Georgia and I don't know if my old bones (39) can handle it with a full pack. Rita and I will be reading your updates weekly. Your two newest fans...
DeleteBy the way I bet the heat is taking it's toll. It could be a record high summer this year too.