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 nights 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 its 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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