I started out at the cheese factory this morning. I got an early start and climbed tray mountain, which was very pretty. The day ended with another climb up Kelly Knob. That climb was tough with all the miles behind.

Ended up at Deep Gap shelter for the night. I decided to try to sleep inside the shelter; we’ll see how that works. I’ll let you know tomorrow.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #9 (3/21/23)
Start - Cheese Factory (56.2)
End - Deep Gap Shelter (65.6)
Today's mileage:  9.4
Total section miles: 65.6
Section Avg:  7.4
Total miles on AT: 1101.3

The best way out is always through.

Robert Frost

Today started out much warmer than I expected. The sun rose over BlueMountain shelter, and was really pretty. The wind had calm down, and it was not quite so cold.

The morning started out with the descent into a gap and then a huge climb up Rocky Mountain. The views up there were amazing. I called it a short day and stopped at an old cheese factory. I’m camped for the night. planning on doing 7 1/2 miles tomorrow.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #8 (3/20/23)
Start - Blue Mtn Shltr (50.1)
End - Cheese Factory (56.2)
Today's mileage:  6.2
Total section miles:  56.2
Section Avg:  7.0
Total miles on AT: 1091.9

Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.

Oscar Wilde

It was a cold morning, leaving camp, but the hike initially at least was easy. It got much tougher during the day. There was all sorts of ice along the trail. I finally ended up at BlueMountain shelter for the night. It should be another cold one here.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #7 (3/19/23)
Start — Tesnatee Gap (37.3)
Start - Low Gap Shelter (42.8)
End - Blue Mtn Shelter (50.1)
Today's mileage:  7.4
Total section miles:  50.1
Section Avg:  7.2
Total miles on AT: 1085.7

Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.

Mark Twain

Today started out with a half mile climb up about 500 feet in the freezing cold out of Tesnatee Gap. At the summit, the sun started to peek out over the ridge and shine through all the frozen ice on the tree limbs. It looked like a frosted fairy land.

It was a short day with an early finish at Lowgap shelter. I ran into Moxie, a trail runner, along the way who reported that the temperatures were expected to be well down below freezing tonight. She suggested everyone stay at Lowgap to stay warm.

After arriving at Lowgap shelter, many people showed up who I’ve met along the way from Springer Mountain. It was a great afternoon of trail community and sharing stories of the rain and the cold.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #6 (3/18/23)
Start — Tesnatee Gap (37.3)
End - Low Gap Shelter (42.8)
Today's mileage:  5.5
Total section miles:  42.8
Section Avg:  7.1
Total miles on AT: 1078.3

Strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet.

Will Rogers

I took a day off trail today to get out of the rain and get some rest. I’m in a hotel in Blairsville Georgia until I go back on the trail tomorrow.

The rain has been heavy all day, and I’ve spent most of my time restocking and re-organizing for the next leg, which will take me to Hiawassee Georgia.

After averaging more than 10 miles a day for my first 31 miles, I have decided to try to slow down my pace to ensure that I’m going to make it for the long-haul. I’m planning to do less than 8 miles daily until I get to Hiawassee, and into North Carolina.

A good story can take you on a fantastic journey.

Walt Disney