A Soggy Day

Today started and ended really wet and muddy. They started hiking around 9am from Hawk Mountain Shelter. When Jeff called me before that the plan was to at least make it to the next shelter. That's only about 7 miles but the weather was likely going to be bad, and he wanted to stay in a shelter over just tent camping somewhere. 

And then there was no contact for hours. We kept looking at the Garmin InReach map link and it really wasn't updating. They had no cell phone signal. We got a taste of what it will be like when we can't communicate and honestly - not a fan. 

Then, I get a phone call from Jeff and all the plans he told me at 9am were totally different. This is what we will have to get adjusted to -- Plans don't work. 

They already met a trail angel. What's a trail angel? (I heard you asking that.) It's a name given to people that have provided direct kindness or generosity to hikers. They are typically people that love the Appalachian Trail, understand the physical and mental load that it puts on the hikers, and they simply want to help. Jeff and Gavin's trail angel was Fresh Ground (his trail name) and owner of the Leap Frog Cafe. It's a non-profit organization. He accepts donations but doesn't charge for his food or any other services. Check out his Facebook page. They said he took a picture of them and will post it, but I haven't seen it yet.

Jeff and Gavin got their bellies full with soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. That's when they made the decision to go to a hostel for the night. Again, not the plan. They were shuttled to Above The Clouds Hostel, which is near Gooch Gap, their AT stopping point for the day. This hostel is providing a good place to sleep, laundry services, shuttle service tomorrow, food and community for the night all for $56/per person per night. Thankfully they take Venmo! Check out their Facebook if you'd like to see what the hostel looks like.

While they were hanging around this afternoon/evening, Jeff had the hostel owner, Coyote do a shakedown (when you go through the contents to see what you can get rid of) of Gavin's backpack because it was just still a little too heavy for him. The goal of a backpack is to be about 20% of your body weight. Gavin's was about 30%. They have now gotten it down to right around 30 pounds.

I'll keep you posted.

~Julie