Day 4 - Neel's Gap, Georgia

Trevor called this afternoon from Neel’s Gap, GA with an update.  He sounded strong, happy, and pumped about his experience so far.  It’s the end of day 4 and so far he’s hiked a total of 40 miles – 9 miles of the AT approach trail and 31 miles of the actual AT.

Trevor started his hike on Monday morning from Amicolola Falls State Park with a guy named Jim Dog and three girls, Moonshine, Kate, and Lucy.  Trevor and Jim Dog hiked the 9 mile approach trail faster than the girls and when they arrived at the top of Springer Mountain, Jim Dog took a shuttle back to the Hiker Hostel for the night.  Trevor said the approach trail was the most hellish portion of his hike so far. The hike was steep and areas of the trail were littered with gear and supplies that hikers ditched in an effort to lighten their packs.

Trevor waited 2 hours at the top of Springer for the girls to arrive, but then decided it was getting late and began the AT alone.  He hiked 2.8 miles to the Stover Creek Shelter where he met a retired police officer named Mountaineer, who was also hiking alone.  After camping there on Monday night, Trevor and Mountaineer hiked together for 12 miles on Tuesday to Gooch Shelter where they met two guys named Cotton and Nattie. 

On Tuesday night the rain started with a vengeance and fortunately Trevor’s tent kept him and his gear dry.  By Wednesday morning Trevor said it was clear the rain wasn’t going to end so he packed up his tent and moved into the actual Gooch shelter.  Since getting to the next shelter required a 12 mile hike, Trevor, Mountaineer, Cotton, and Nattie decided to take a zero day and stay in the shelter rather than hike in the downpour.  The hiker term “zero day” refers to a no hiking day. Although the day was boring and long, Trevor said they made the most of it and played cards to pass the time.  The torrential rain finally stopped at 7pm.

Trevor left Gooch around 8am on Thursday and hiked 15 miles to Neel’s Gap.  Mountaineer left earlier that morning but Trevor eventually caught him.  They hiked together about 5 miles and then Mountaineer slowed down and Trevor decided to hike ahead.  Trevor said the first 12 miles on Thursday were pretty easy and he made great time.  The last three miles to Neel’s Gap took a bit longer because he had to cross a high elevation at Blood Mountain and it was snowing.  While the ascent wasn’t too bad, Trevor said the descent was crazy; going from 4450 feet to 3125 feet over wet and rocky terrain.  He was very happy he had trekking poles!

When he arrived at Neel’s Gap around 3pm Trevor found out the hostel was full but a cabin that sleeps 4 was available for only $60 a night.  He waited for Cotton and Nattie to arrive and they all agreed it was well worth $15 each to sleep in the cabin and have a shower.  When I talked to Trevor he was waiting for Mountaineer to arrive and was excited about the prospect of a hot shower, real food, the cabin fireplace and satellite TV! 

In the morning (Friday) he plans to do a load of laundry, resupply at the Neel’s Gap hostel, and continue his hike.  His next resupply point will be Hiawassee, GA which is 36 miles and 3 days from Neel’s Gap.  If everything goes as planned I expect to get another update on Monday evening.  After Hiawassee, Trevor will only have 9 miles to the GA-NC state line.