Day 5

Origin: Wolf Laurel Top
Destination: Low Gap Shelter
Today's miles: 7.9
Total miles: 44.2

The cold didn't bother us too badly and we were on the right side of the ridge to be protected from the wind. Despite being afraid that a bear would get our food bag, I managed to sleep some. The 5ish hours I got was probably the most I've had so far. Some animal noises did keep me up, including some hissing that I couldn't place. I kept picturing it as the sound two raccoons were making as they fought over our food bag that they managed to get down. I woke just as the sun rose and rushed out of the food to find our bags still nicely hanging. I did hear later today that someone else a couple of miles behind us got robbed by a bear.

We broke camp fairly quickly and planned to make 15 miles so we could get to Hiawassee, GA on Friday. However, Magge's ankle is a little sore so we decided to stop at Low Gap Shelter halfway there. It's supposed to start raining tonight continuing into tomorrow night, so it'll be nice to not have to pack the tent up in the rain. We should be able to get to a shelter early enough tomorrow to get a shelter spot again, so we're pretty happy about staying fairly dry through this wet spell. The extra stops do mean we're a couple of days behind schedule already, but its worth it to stay feeling good. Healthy for the marriage as well.

The other hikers are overwhelming friendly and helpful. Tonight's crowd at the shelter is the best we've experienced so far - lots of laughing.

Magge and I took on our trail names today (very common for long distance hikers). I will now introduce myself as and go by Bobsled on the trail. I took it because I go pretty quickly on the downhills (Magge wanted me to go as Nicky Flash, which is from one of those AT&T commercials with the kids). Magge is Little Engine, as in "I think I can, I think I can".