Day 160, 15.8 miles. Deep Gap/SOBO mile 2113.3 to Dick’s Creek Gap/SOBO mile 2129.1 GEORGIA!!
Entered Georgia! Before that, saw a couple amusing signs and, at Bly Gap, the giant twisted oak tree. But I am now in my last state! Woo-hoo!
Mostly in the trees today. Think I got a sunburn. All the leaves are off the trees so there is little shade when the rays shine full force. I did put sunblock on at one point, but it probably wasn’t enough.
Four more hiking days to go, three of them long and/or strenuous. I will slackpack those days though, so that will help. The next time I carry my full pack will be on Springer summit day.
I’m ready to be done. My left foot and ankle are hanging in, but they so obviously need real rest. My right foot hurts too, but that is typical hiker achy feet stuff. Tooth doesn’t hurt anymore, and my cold is almost gone, so that’s good.
Got to Dick’s Creek Gap faster than expected and am waiting for Bill to arrive and take me back to The Green Dragon Hostel. I have red grape juice and ginger ale in the fridge. Love mixing that together – very refreshing. Kind of like a wine spritzer mocktail.
Day 161, 16.7 miles. Dick’s Creek Gap/SOBO mile 2129.1 to Unicoi Gap/SOBO mile 2145.8
Another day mostly in the trees. 5000 feet of elevation gain. Georgia doesn’t believe in switchbacks, but the ascents never felt too bad. Had a nice view at the top of Tray Mountain and another at the top of Rocky Mountain. Bright sunshine through leafless trees meant another day of sunburn in spite of my sunblock.
Met several kind day hikers who wished me well and told me I was “almost there!” Felt nice. I am starting to believe that I am, indeed, almost there.
Made shuttle and hotel reservations for after summiting. Want to stay in a small town (Dahlonega) motel first before heading to Atlanta, where I will stay in a luxury hotel as a treat. I do not want to go straight to Atlanta from the trail because that would be too much of a shock. I am not used to that many people. Had a hard enough time in Gatlinburg going two blocks from my motel to Walgreens for resupply. I don’t look forward to being around that many humans all at once.
Dana, the kind woman I met on top of Albert Mountain, will give me a ride from Dahlonega to Atlanta. Will take her to brunch along the way as a thank you.
Three more hiking days. 52.7 miles to go.
Day 162, 21.4 miles
Unicoi Gap/SOBO mile 2145.8 to Neel Gap/SOBO mile 2167.2
Left the wonderful Green Dragon Hostel this morning at 6:15 am and was hiking by 6:30am. Was in the dark and in moderate rain for thirty minutes while ascending Blue Mountain, but with sunrise came dry skies and the rest of the day was in the clear.
Typical ups and downs with views of mountains through the trees. Had some nice views at Sheep Rock and Green Cliff.
Fuego texted me today and said she and her husband could give me a ride from Springer to Dahlonega, the town I am staying in after I summit, since we are summiting the same day and they are heading that way anyway. Yay!
Texted Ark a Happy Birthday message and discovered he reached Springer yesterday and is now on a train home. I am happy for him. He’s a good guy, and I wish him well.
Currently waiting for my hostel host to pick me up at Neel Gap. Am heading to Above the Clouds tonight. My last AT hostel! I will be there two nights, and then…summit!
My foot is hanging in there. I promised it a good long rest if it can just keep working through the next two days.
TWO MORE HIKING DAYS!! I am currently 31.3 miles from the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
2,167.2 miles down, 31.3 miles to go.
