Day 6. Low Gap Shelter to Unicoi Gap, Hiawassee GA
As predicted, the storm kept us at bay in the Low Gap Shelter. It rained and the wind whipped through the Gap all night into the morning. The temps were in the high 30's however much colder with the wind chill factor. At 0800 hours we hit the trail dressed in full rain gear.
The trail was mostly up hill along an old defunct 1940's highway. It soon turned to a rocky, muddy trail. We hiked 9.7 miles to Unicoi Gap in Hawaassee and was shuttled to Ron Havens Budget Inn for the night. We split the cost of two rooms. Took a nice hot shower, laundry and ate well deserved pizza and beer!!
Tomorrow the plan is to slack pack 16.7 miles to Dicks Creek Gap and shuttled back to the inn for one more night. Slack packing means we will leave our packs at the Inn and hike with only a daypack containing water and emergency. The following day we will be shuttled back to Dicks Creek Gap to continue our hike. Tomorrow is calling for bad weather in the area again.
So far I have hiked 52.9 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Statistics show that 20 % will drop out at Neels Gap mm 31. So far I have beat the odds!!!
