Week 2 started off with a 14-mile slack pack that I originally remember in 2020 as being easy. My Tramily felt otherwise, especially when we started climbing Blue Mountain (and then coming down it, although I had warned them about the descent). We had some awesome R&R in Helen, GA, and by the end of the week, we were dealing with a fire closure.
| Miles Since Last Update | Total Miles Hiked | Miles Remaining |
|---|
16.7
69.4
2128
Day 8: 14-mile Slack Pack Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap
Today we did a 14-mile slack pack from Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap. I remember it being pretty cruisy and easy back in 2020, even if I did it in freezing temperatures with snow. This time was different. The first 10.5 or so miles were pretty mild, but then there were boulder fields that I did not remember, and they seemed to go on forever. Then, to add to the fun, an unexpected Thunderstorm caused a torrential downpour while on said rocks (along with lightning, of course).
I opted not to put on my rain gear when it started sprinkling. It had been a pretty “hot” day, so to speak, and the rain didn’t feel too bad… until it did. I was completely soaked and becoming chilled in my top and shorts. The temperature had dropped considerably, and the wind had picked up. I gave in near the top, stopped, took off my pack, grabbed my rain gear, and put it on.
I know those who may not know much about survival would probably ask What’s the point of putting on your rain gear now? You are already wet. While this is true, I was also cold and on the verge of shivering. Hypothermia could have become an issue (even in warmer temps). By putting on my rain gear and cinching it completely around me, I created a thermal barrier. This trapped my heat, and within about 30 seconds, I was warm and no longer chilled. I kept it on the entire way down, and by the time I got down, my body temperature and the trapped heat from it had dried my clothing (and my hair). It had also, thankfully, stopped raining.
This is why I always carry a full rain suit, and never just a poncho; a rain suit accompanies me even on sunny, warm days. I will, however, say that had I planned to camp that night, I would have handled my wet and cold self differently (and probably wouldn’t have let myself get that wet). But, the fact that I had done this section of the trail before and knew what to expect, and that I only had three more miles to go before I got into a warm car, which would lead me to a warm bed, I knew I would be ok.
Worst case, I would find cover, dry off with my ultralight towel, and change into the dry clothes I had packed (these also accompany me on slack packs or day hikes along with my puffy and an emergency bivy).
Watch Video Day 8
Day 9 & 10: Zeros in Helen, Georgia
We spent the next couple of days in Helen, something Jerry and I had already planned to do before we even started the trail. I fell in love with Helen back in 2020 and couldn’t wait to explore it with Jerry. It was a bonus that we also now had a Tramily to share it with as well.
We did all the touristy things, like riding the train, the Mountain Coaster, and shopping at the little German shops. Oh, and we had old-time photos done, lmao! We had a great time, but after two days off, we were ready to get back on the trail.
Meet the Tramily Video |||| Watch Us Exploring Helen, GA
Day 11: Unicoi Gap to Steeltrap Gap
We are finally on a section of the trail I have not been on before. I was excited but nervous to start this section. The last time I was supposed to start here, a tragedy happened, one that I (nor Jerry) still have not actually dealt with or accepted. It’s been 5 years. I wasn’t sure what to expect, to be honest. I’d heard this section was a little strenuous.
We had two “big” climbs today, but they weren’t as bad as everyone has led me to believe. Sure, they will work your lungs out, but the views are worth it. Once we made it to the gap from Rocky Mountain, we were greeted by a guy with a pup. It turns out he was there waiting for his friend (she is a ridgerunner and that was her pup). Anyway, he said Aren’t you Nutty Hiker? I said yes! Turns out he had just started following me! How cool is that? We chatted for a bit, then started making the climb up Trey Mountain.
It wasn’t long before we ran into the Ridgerunner who was going SOBO, and I let her know I petted her doggie, lol. We chatted with her for a bit about good campsites and asked her if she had seen two others (Tony & Helen). She said, ‘Oh yeah, the dad and the daughter aren’t that far ahead of you.’ I chuckled and said they were friends and that Helen was actually 29. She couldn’t believe it, she thought Helen was 15 and Tony was her Dad LMAO!
We thought we would only make it to Trey Mountain Shelter, but ended up pushing on further to Steeltrap Gap.
We arrived at the campsite around 3:30 pm, having covered about 7 miles. We could have done more, but opted for an early night at camp to just chill instead.
Watch Day 11 Video
Day 12: Steeltrap Gap to Moreland Gap
Headed out of camp a little late today. Like most mornings, we began our hike going up, lol. Came across a really cool tree that looked like a Mosquito.
We only had one “big” climb today…Kelly’s Knob. She is the last 4,000-footer in Georgia, and she was NO joke! We decided to stop at the top, rest for a bit, and have lunch before heading on. We were going to attempt to get to Dick’s Creek before the last free shuttle, but we stayed a little too long at the top.
Today was hot, which didn’t help either. We were worn out! We made it to Moreland Gap and decided this would be a great place to rest for the night. That means we would only have a mile and half to Dick’s Creek tomorrow to grab the free 9 am shuttle into town.
Watch Day 12 Video
Day 13 & 14 (zero day): Moreland Gap to Dick’s Creek
Woke up this morning to rain hitting the tent. Jerry got out to start packing up and saw two other hikers sleeping near us who were cowboy camping. The rain also woke them up. They apologized if they had woken us last night; we let them know we had no idea they had even come in, lol.
We got packed up pretty quickly. Tony and Helen were still in their tents. We let them know we were headed out since we hike a little slower. It was supposed to be all downhill, but I also knew from looking at the actual Topographic map that there were some very minor ups and downs.
We arrived at Dick’s Creek about an hour before the shuttle; thankfully, there were picnic tables for us to sit at and wait.
The next day ended up being an unplanned zero. Apparently, they shut down the trail from Dick’s Creek (where we got off) for about 15 miles NOBO (the direction we needed to go) due to a wildfire. They had no idea when it would reopen, so we were left with trying to figure out how to shuttle around. Thankfully, Greg (Sunsets), one of my online friends since 2018 (and AT thru-hiker), who is married to my other online friend (and AT thru-hiker), Jen (Chica), is a shuttle driver. We set up for him to pick us up the following day, bright and early, and shuttle us around the closed section. Additionally, since the plan was to already stay at their Airbnb anyway, we were going to get to Slackpack!
This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. My knee had been hurting, and I really needed to ICE it and stay off of it. I can be hard-headed sometimes, and I thought icing overnight would be fine. It really needed that extra day!
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