While grinding away at work during another 12 hour day on the construction site, I got a call on my phone. "Brandon Moore", the caller ID showed. Brandon had made the decent from Blood Mountain to the Walasi-Yi Mountain Crossing. Blood Mountain is one of the first true tests of physical ability on the trail; although there is a lot of up and down between there and Springer. Neel's Gap consists of a small road crossing and a little general store with such amenities as a snack bar, supplies, bunk room, laundry, and more importantly,showers.
Photo: A well earned snack at Neel's Gap
The General Store here is infamous as the first place hikers get a chance to send home all the things they have figured out that they don't need in the first 2-4 days of hiking. Brandon said he faired pretty well as far as things he sent home was concerned. Due to the fact you have to carry everything, its easy to part with most things. "Ultra-lite hiking is contagious" he told me, as I am already aware. He even split up his 3-pack of moleskin to just 2 sheets and threw the wrapping away. Better yet, Brandon rationed out his ibuprofen for the next three days, and mailed the rest to his next resupply. I think it is safe to say that Brandon has the hiking bug, it's contagious folks.
Brandon was in good spirits, and perhaps a little intimidated by the enormity of the journey he has undertaken. Covering just over 30 miles in three days is a great start. I told him not to even begin worrying about how far the finish is. If the object is to get from Georgia to Maine the fastest, then there are certainly more efficient means to achieve that. It sounded like Brandon had met a few people on the trail and was planning on hiking with them the next few days to Hiawassee, GA. With so many people starting the trail this time of year, its not uncommon for people to join up and plan/hike together.
Everyone on the AT shares a common goal, to walk from Georgia to Maine. Because pretty much everyone you meet is "in the same boat", people bond together easier. A frequent explanation of friendships on the trail is that a day spent together on the trail is like a month in the "real world". This is most likely due to the variety of situations the trail puts you through; an ongoing physical and mental challenge.
Here I was worrying about you and how you struggling with the changing weather and low and behold the man finds a pepperoni pizza out in the middle of no where on the AT. Just tell me...was it good? All kidding aside, we are all inspired by your ability to follow your dreams. I was happy to hear that you have made some new friends and will be hiking with them for a few days. Stay safe and know that you are in our prayers each and everyday. Love ya man and tell Smokey hey for me if you see him.
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