Mar 4

DAY #2
START LOCATION: Hawk Mountain Shelter
FINISH LOCATION: Gooch Mountain Shelter
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 7.3
TRIP MILEAGE: 15.1
MILES TO GO: 2,164.0
Cold night on Hawk Mountain, but got better sleep in my tent.
Disappointed in the morning to hear that "No Pants" Mike from Brooklyn
was bailing. I met him on the approach trail the other day and he was
definitely the most down to earth guy I've met up here. He was
catching a shuttle to Neels Gap (which is over 20 miles ahead) and
get better prepared. I doubt I'll see him again since he's only
sectioning for 1 month while he's between jobs.
Anyway...Broke camp at 10:25AM which is still much later than I'd
expect in the future. But, I wasn't last to leave this time. HA. Some
older guy Bob from Shirley, MA was departing supposedly 15 minutes
after me. Made good time today and my body felt the best out of the
first 3 days. My left foot was starting to throb in the last mile, but
you gotta expect that. The healthy day was good because there was
very few water sources and no intermediate shelters.
Also, rhis was the first day with good scenery. The sun was out most
of the day and lunch was timed perfectly to catch the overlook from
the Sassafras Mountain summit at about 3,300' elevation. Weird
terrain day though... 12" snow drifts up to my shins at one point and
2 hours later had no snow at all and lots of mud. But, it was good to
see earth. Between that, the warmer temps, the sun and the grove of
green leafed deciduous trees around Justus Creek you could have
convinced me it was spring.
Tenting tonight. There's 4 teenagers from Jersey, retired Bob from
Shirley, MA and Saguaro from Arizona inhabiting "The Gooch" so it's
nice to have privacy.
Shooting for my first 10+ mile day tomorrow then a short jaunt to
Neels Gap on day 5 where a shower, laundry, hot meal and bunk await.
It's about time. I'm staring to stink.
-N8dog