We (Bluebird, Bright Spot & Puffin) decided to do a short slackpack today during our zero to get a little further along the trail. We hiked from Rock Gap to Winding Stair Gap and then headed back into town. It was a good thing we had this plan because the trail was closed north of Winding Stair Gap due to a prescribed burn. The afternoon will be spent doing resupply, laundry, and mailing things home.

Today I’ve realized that God has blessed me with something new this hike. For some reason he has decided it is time for me to start to learn patience. What a blessing…

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #17 (3/29/23)
Start - Rock Gap (105.8)
End - Winding Stair Gap(109.4)
Today's mileage: 3.6
Total section miles: 109.4
Section Avg:  7.8*
Total miles on AT: 1145.0
   * Zeros (3) not included

Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

Victor Hugo

I hiked out of Long Branch shelter in the cool morning on the way to Rock Gap. I passed the Rock Gap shelter on the way.

After reaching Rock Gap, I headed into Franklin for a Zero and Resupply.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #16 (3/28/23)
Start - Long Branch (102.1)
End - Rock Gap (105.8)
Today's mileage: 3.7
Total section miles: 105.8
Section Avg:  7.6*
Total miles on AT: 1141.4
   * Zeros (2) not included

People do not lack strength, they lack will.

Victor Hugo

I left Carter gap shelter early this morning and headed on down the trail. The first 4 miles went by very quickly.

The highlight of the day was climbing Albert Mountain. The climb was steep with some technical areas, but it was rewarded with amazing views at the top and a fire tower. The top of the mountain marked 100 miles on the trail from Springer Mountain.

I ended up at Longbranch shelter for the night. I’m settled in the shelter to sleep. Tomorrow I head into Franklin North Carolina for shower, laundry, and some rest.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #15 (3/27/23)
Start - Carter Gap (93.5)
End - Long Branch (102.1)
Today's mileage: 8.6
Total section miles: 102.1
Section Avg:  7.9*
Total miles on AT: 1137.7
   * Zeros (2) not included

Your worth consists in what you are and not in what you have.

Thomas Edison

Smoky Bear picked us up this morning in Hiawassee and took us to Deep Gap to get back on trail. The hike up standing Indian mountain was amazing!. There were lots of switchbacks and the mile and a half went by very fast.

There were lots of stream crossings on the way to Carter Gap shelter, where I’m at tonight. Today’s hike was relatively easy and the time went by fast.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #14 (3/26/23)
Start - Deep Gap (85.0)
End - Carter Gap Shltr (93.5)
Today's mileage: 8.5
Total section miles: 93.5
Section Avg:  7.8*
Total miles on AT: 1129.1
   * Zeros (2) not included

The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

Michelangelo

The storm last night was horrendous. There was no room in the shelter so Survey, Emily, Bright Spot, and I all slept on the ground underneath the awning of the shelter. The storm rolled in at 4 AM with roaring winds and driving rain. Our sleep systems all got completely soaked. After spending the morning trying to dry out at the shelter, we all decided to hike back to Deep Gap and get rescued from the trail for a night at a hotel to get dry. I’ll be back on trail tomorrow.

Thanks to Smoky Bear for rescuing us from the trail and convincing me not to quit.

Success seems to be connected to action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.

Conrad Hilton