Mar 5

DAY #3
START LOCATION: Gooch Mountain Shelter
FINISH LOCATION: Woods Hole Shelter
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 11.9
TRIP MILEAGE: 27.0
MILES TO GO: 2,152.1
Slept awful last night. Didn't start getting solid sleep until about
3AM. But had to be up early with the big haul planned today. Broke
camp at "The Gooch" at 9:40AM. Lots of ups and downs and snow ranging
from trace to 16" drifts in the gaps. Finally had some nice vistas
and summit views.
There was also a major road crossing rest stop at Woody Gap that had a
restroom, water, trash barrels and a picnic table. I ate, drank, used
the toilet (actually remembered how to use it) and unloaded a bunch of
trash I'd been hauling. Also there I saw my first female this week.
She was nothing to write home about (even though I am anyway) but I
was relieved because I was starting to wonder if mankind was in trouble.
Today's big haul will be rewarded tomorrow when I take the short 3.7
mi to Neels Gap... Aka civilization, bed, laundry, hot meal... Much
needed.
Great company at woods hole shelter tonight... Two n. Carolinan best
friends... older guys, and a very smart and polite 10 year old son of
one of them... Out weekending. They were my favorite camp company yet.
-N8dog