trail magic – Tales of Wandering

3-12-2016

Day #4: Lance Creek Campsite —> Neel Gap

7.4 miles Total= 31.7 miles

The Wanderer signing in from Walasiyi Inn in Neel Gap.

Whew! What a day. I crawled out of my tent around 7:30 this morning unable to lay any longer. I am stiff more than sore and have had a headache all day long. I’m not sleeping well in the campgrounds. Partly due to the noise of so many other hikers. Partly due to cramping.

I spent a while stretching before making morning coffee and downing my last two begals. Then, I set off for Blood Mountain. Ooohhhh. Blood Mountain. It was a good hike. Crowded at the top.

I reached my first “trail town.” Neel Gap isn’t much of a town. There is two hostels and an outfitter here. The place is famous for the amount of hikers that quit here. The dropout rate is something like 30% here. Pretty crazy.

Silent Bob of Mountain Crossing outfitters, gave my pack a shakedown. He had me empty EVERYTHING from my pack onto the floor and organize it into piles: sleep, cook, clothes. He then began picking my packlist to pieces.

The first items to go were stuff sacks. My sleeping bag and potset now go directly into the pack. My toiletry bag lost it’s soap. “Clean up in towns,” he said. “What about nora virus?!” “Stay out of shelters,” he said. “Well, ok then!” I didn’t carry soap on my bike tour either. Not sure why I was carrying it on my back…

In all, we shed about 2 pounds from my bag. I stripped it of it’s brain and sent home my journal and pen. I carry a small notebook in my back pocket. It will have to do. Silent Bob also made me send home my dish rag and my buff. My one bandana will serve for multiple purposes from towel, to dishrag, to washcloth, to sweat rag. Gross? I’ll get over it. My bag is noticeably lighter now.

Tonight, I’m camping behind the hostel. Their nice enough to allow me use of the hostels power and wifi. Thanks! I’m sitting outside at a picnic table now in the cool night air. It’s suppose to rain soon. My next stop is in two days. I’ll hitch a ride into Haiwassee for resupply.