“The Vortex” Neel’s Gap, Georgia – You must pass through the “Vortex” to be a true Appalachian Trail hiker!

Starting mile 26.2

So, I didn’t make it as far as I wanted yesterday so I made sure to get out early so I could get a good day of hiking. It was also a really cold morning, just under 35 degrees, so I didn’t want to sit around in the cold. The morning started with a 1,300-foot climb up to Blood Mountain. I was actually very surprised how easy it was. The trail was well groomed and not very steep.

When I got down the mountain I walked right into Neels Gap and the into the Mountain Crossing Store. I had a nice brunch pizza and a coke. They really hit the spot.  I hung out there until just after noon. I said goodbye to a bunch of people I had camped with the last couple of nights and headed up the trail. I wanted to get to Low Gap Shelter which was a little over 11 miles away, so I knew I’d have to get moving.

I hiked with an older couple from Wyoming off and on all afternoon. When we got to Tesnatee Gap there was a group doing Trail Magic. Unfortunately they were out of most everything so I grabbed a Gatorade took a seat and talked to them for 15 minutes or so. This was put on by a women’s hiking group that does this every year. Then “Rerun”, “Irish” and I took off for a 500 ft climb. 

When we got to the top is was 4:30 and I still had 5 miles to go. “Rerun” and “Irish” was going to go a couple more miles and find a place to camp, so I said goodbye and took off. This part of the trail really allowed me to cruise and I was able to get to camp by 6:30. It was a great day and I was able to get 16.8 miles in.

End milage 43