Mar 10

DAY #8
START LOCATION: Tray Mountain Shelter
FINISH LOCATION: Deep Gap Shelter
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 7.5
TRIP MILEAGE: 64.0
MILES TO GO: 2,115.1
Slept pretty well at the Tray. It was a rough hike up there so the
sleep was expected. I have mastered the wee hour shelter pee. Did it 3
times last night and barely caught a chill, even with the light mist.
Out by 830 this morning and knowing that rain was coming I donned my
Packa raingear for the first time since the snowstorm on Day 1. Had
some nice rollers down hill and didn't realize how quick I was moving.
There was a little rain throughout the day but never torrential.
Anyway, the end of the day was capped by Kelly Knob... a very
deceptively long and gradual uphill... A heartbreak hill if you will.
But, I was ready for it. I felt really good today. I definitely broke
through a physical barrier today. Topped Kelly Knob and was looking
for more.
Rolled into Deep Gap at 1:45 today! I've never reached a shelter this
early. We're laying up before our "nero" in Hiawassee tomorrow. A
"Nero" is a near-zero mile day. So, tomorrow's Nero will be 3.5 mi
stroll and shuttle ride into H-town.
Kicking it here with Lodestone, Swiftie, Research and a new guy I met
today... Wide Load. Very looking forward to H-town... resupply,
shower, a warm bed and the ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET.
-n8dog