Day 16 - Up 3,000 feet

May 1, 2013

Day 16 – NOC to Sassafras Gap Shelter

6.7 miles, 144.0 total

 

Today was a relatively short day.   It was less than 7 miles, but it was a 3,000 feet in elevation increase, and I wanted to take a short day and relax some.

This morning I had an excellent breakfast at the River’s End Restaurant before I did a quick resupply and headed out.

Rider got a package and gave me some trail mix/GORP, and two Mountain House meals, so I didn’t really need to get much, just some snacks.  He apparently had too much food.  I’m okay with that.

As I said, the hike was pretty taxing but also short, so it wasn’t  horrible.  The worst part of the day was late and mid-afternoon, because the gnats were just swarming around my head.  Literally, dozens of them, just constantly crashing into my head.  I eventually found a hideaway in my tent.

Aside from that, it was  a good day.  I had Mac & Cheese and hot cocoa at the end of the day.

Oh, and at the shelter tonight are Leo, Jasmine (& Boogie), 2.0, Bill (Iron Knee?). I think some people relaxed and stayed at the NOC all day.