Where Are the Summits?

I arrived at Unicoi Gap at around 9:30-9:45AM. There was trail magic, I had a breakfast burrito courtesy of two former thru hikers. I put it in my pack and saved it for my lunch. It was delicious. Rocky Mountain has switchbacks to start, and then went straight up. This state is getting old fast. Tray mountain was a delight. Best views of the whole trip. It was windy up there, so I moved along. Then the trail went up and down over bumps, these were starting to take their toll on me. The trail went straight up, and then straight down. Rinse and repeat. That was my day. Thus far, these 16 miles were the toughest miles, both physically and mentally. Kelly's Knob was difficult. It went on and on. It has easily been the toughest climb of the trip. A few flase summits mixed in with a trail that goes straight up makes for a grueling climb. GATCL Please mark your summits. Thank you. At Dick's Creek Gap I took a break and ate some granola. I then began the three mile walk back to the Blueberry Patch. One mile away from the hostel, two day hikers offered to ride me the rest of the way. Trail magic number two. At the Blueberry Patch I packed my pack in preparation for the departure to Cloud9, the other hostel in Hiawassee. As I was waiting for the shuttle on the road in front of the Blueberry Patch, Mother nature and Smokestack drove past me. They ended up treating me to dinner, quite delicious. hank you very much Mother Nature and Smokestack. I enjoyed trading trail stories about the trail up to Dick's Creek Gap. I am now at Cloud9, enjoying a peaceful nght. All the other hikers are in town eating dinner. Apparently there is another 17 year old on the trail. I hope to track him/her down. There are very fiew of us out here, so I hope to connect with the ones I can. Kirby

Ga>ME 2008