Welcome to North Carolina

Day 6 – Unicoi Gap to Addis Gap: mile 52.5 to mile 64.7

We had a relatively long hike of over 11 miles today that started with a steep climb up Tray Mountain. Along the way we experienced our first true trail magic! The owner of Boots Off Hostel in Tennessee was set up at Tray Gap and making breakfast burritos and coffee. They also had some fruit, chips, cookies, and a variety of powders to spruce up your water. There was a campfire going with nearby camp chairs. We both ate a banana, took a powder packet. I took an apple and Amy took a bag of chips. What’s wrong with this picture?

We continued our hike up and eventually made the peak and was rewarded with a nice view so we took a selfie (or as we Iike to now say, an ussie).

We knew rain was on the way this afternoon and we hoped to make our campsite before it started. We didn’t quite make it, but did catch a lull as we prepared to setup the tent. We weren’t in the tent for more than 10 minutes when it really started coming down and stayed that way.

We listened to some audio book and then cooked our dinner (boiled water) in the vestibule of our tent. It worked out pretty well and we stayed dry. The rehydrated beef stroganoff was quite tasty! By the time we finished it was almost 7:00 pm and time for bed.

Day 7 – Addis Gap to Dick’s Creek Gap: mile 63.7 to mile 69.2

Today was a relatively short hike of just under 6 miles where we will spend another night at Around the Bend hostel. It was still raining in the morning and the forecast called for it to end by 8:30 am, so we hung out in the tent until it let up. The first mile plus was uphill with a total elevation gain of 850 ft. This is where we were passed by the snail. My legs felt a lot better than I expected them to and the uphill passed quickly (only to resume a little later). After a few more ups and downs, we made it to Dick’s Creek Gap and walked 0.6 miles down the road to the hostel.

We quickly hung up all our tenting gear to dry. We then got our showers and laundry done. We then took an early shuttle into Hiawassee and got dinner at Hiawassee Brew. The food and the beer were very good.

Day 8 – Dick’s Creek Gap to Deep Gap: mile 69.2 to mile 85

As we left the hostel to walk the 0.6 miles back up to the trailhead, the owner, Gordon, asked us if we were going to Unicoi Gap. We replied, “no, just up to Dick’s Creek”. He looked at his watch and noticed that those going to Unicoi weren’t ready and said “hop in the car and I’ll bring you up.” Score!

The first 7+ miles of the hike as we finished up Georgia were pretty mild and we were making good time. We soon came to the tree in the woods with the state border crossing on it. Shortly after that we got water from a piped stream and then hiked through Bly Gap with its iconic twisted oak. That’s when things got interesting.

The climb up to Sharp Top was over 400 feet in less than 4 tenths of a mile – with no switchbacks. Hikers joke that North Carolina doesn’t believe in switchbacks. It was grueling and our confidence in getting to where we wanted to for the day was waning.

Our goal for the day was Standing Indian Shelter and when we made it to Muskrat Creek Shelter at 3:00 pm with 4.9 miles to go, we almost stopped for the day. Three hikers we knew were there and when Lilly decided to move onto Deep Gap 4 miles ahead, we decided to follow. We got into Deep Gap at 5:30 pm and setup camp, ate dinner, and went to bed. Lilly wasn’t there so we assumed she hiked the 0.9 miles uphill to our original goal at Standing Indian Shelter. I had the best sleep in the tent since we started. I’m either getting used to it or I was just that exhausted.

Day 9 – Franklin, NC: zero #1

As we began our hike out of Deep Gap we came across three hikers heading south. One asked if we had seen the latest forecast. Overnight was going to bring rain/snow/freezing rain and high winds producing windchills below zero by mid morning. That was enough to convince us to turn around. 0.8 miles of trail uphill wasted. When we got back to Deep Gap we realized the road to the gap was closed for the season and we’d have to walk about 5 miles to get a ride to Franklin.

We checked in at the Sapphire Inn for two nights. Not the finest of establishments, but it will do. We then went to Outdoor 76 outfitter to pick up a couple packages we had sent there. This place really caters to thru hikers. 10% discount for hikers, mail holding (we used that), laundry (tomorrow) and a bar/lounge to hangout in, complete with 17 taps of craft beer.

While we were there, we saw several hikers we’d met before and met more while there. It was pretty cool to have people walk in, recognize you and greet you enthusiastically. The hiker community is real and pretty awesome. One hiker we had shared sunrise with, Yota, was there. He has already completed the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and has an awesome tattoo chronicling the accomplishment (see pic).

We later went to the Lazy Hiker brewery for dinner and some beer. Upon arrival, we saw someone we spent a couple hiking days with and he introduced us to his latest tramily. A guy then came up to ask if we were thru hikers. We said yes and he replied that our first beer was on him. Nice!

More acquaintances showed up as the evening progressed. We had a great time making the most of our unexpected day off the trail.

Day 10 – Franklin, NC: Zero #2

Another day in town. Temps are still well below freezing and snow flurries still in the air. We had breakfast at 828 cafe with Pilgrim (Tim). Tim is hiking for a charity supporting suicide prevention. Please check it out. We then returned to the inn to grab a package we wanted to mail to Becky and our laundry to take to Outdoor 76 to get done. The local outfitter has so many hiker friendly services, including laundry available. We lounged around the store until our laundry was done, chatting with other hikers and just chilling.

After a quiet afternoon in our room and a FaceTime with our kids and my sister, Becky, we went to the other brewery in town, Currahee Brewery, for dinner and a beer or two. Unfortunately the food truck was closed due to the cold, so food was limited. We had a great evening hanging with Purple Willie and now have yet another hiker to look forward to meeting again down the trail.

Day 11 – Franklin, NC: zero #3

One more day off trail and then we’ll finally get back on tomorrow. Today isn’t too bad but the overnight low will be below freezing again. We had requested a stay at the Barn A. T. Hostel, run by the guy that picked us up on Friday, Scott, aka Spidey, a 2018 SOBO Hiker.

He and his wife, Shawn, bought this gorgeous mountain top property a couple years ago as he wanted to do a hostel. She agreed but did not want guests in their house. He currently has 6 cots in his barn but he plans to build a bunkhouse in the future. He and his wife both served 20 years in the Marines and this is now their life, living at the top of a mountain helping thru hikers.

day	miles	total asc	total desc	steps
7	11.2	3682	3218	32992
8	5.5	1404	2254	19504
9	15.8	5049	3402	45191
10	0	N/A	N/A	26493
11	0	N/A	N/A	11428
12	0	N/A	N/A	6282