AT '18 "First Flowers"
Day #8 Blue Mountain Shelter to Sassafrass Gap
March 16, 2018
Wow, I actually was pretty warm staying in Knope's tent last night despite the constant wind coming up over the ridge beside us. We packed up and headed out by 8. We were originally only going to go to Tray Shelter but the weather was so beautiful and we got there by early afternoon. We saw our first flowers!!! and a caterpillar.
Caught up with the Florida Boys a few times, including right on top of Tray Mountain where they were sitting down to take a break. Knope and I took the side trail to the shelter so she could use the privy while I pulled off my socks and inspected my sore, blistery feet. We decided to push on to shave some miles off our day tomorrow since tomorrow is town day.
We ran into the Florida Boys again at a gap and they said they were going to push 3 more miles to Sassafrass Gap. Knope and I cooked our dinners at the gap, put in our headphones and scream sang the last 3 beautiful miles in the golden hour to Sassafrass Gap.
We attempted our first bear hang, since we've either had cables at the shelters or in my case (just didn't hang it and would've rather died) with the "help" of Sparky. (Sparky hung our food bag while we stood by and provided emotional support).
All of us sat around camp chatting for awhile (again about movies) and then all headed to bed. The boys are waking up early tomorrow to get the first shuttle in Hiawassee from the Budget Inn. Knope and I got reservations for the Budget Inn as well but are taking the second shuttle in. Town food tomorrow! I severely shorted myself on food this section because I miscalculated the mileage (sigh). Thankfully Knope offered me multiple peanut butter tortillas because she's carrying extra. I really did not pack enough food for this section and am literally laying here dreaming about all of the food I'm going to eat tomorrow. As if backpacking isn't hard enough I made today 10x harder by having like no food.
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