AT Day 2: Rolling Hills & Gaps

Daily Miles: 15.6, Total Miles: 25.1

I woke up to an owl nearby hooting loudly and urgently and clearing skies and a stiff breeze. So I jumped out of the tent and threw my wet clothes on tree limbs for an hour or so. Still wet but at least not dripping.

Lots of rolling hills and gaps today with a few steep climbs to Sassafras and Big Cedar Mountains. Stopped for lunch at Gooch Mountain Shelter and another opportunity to dry out a bit more. Had a nice chat with a diverse group of hikers including a few vets with the Wounded Warrior Project.

Good trail magic at Gooch Gap – Gatorades, bags of Cheetos and Easter chocolates. The Gatorade went down well on a warm and now sunny afternoon, probably 70 degrees today.

I passed several hikers today, some with huge loads with many items hanging off the sides of their packs. A few kind of sullen but most very happy to be out here. The last group camping area at Lance Creek was quite crowded. I kept chugging up the mountain and camped in a stand of tall oak trees just below Jarrad Gap.