Day 9. Bly Gap NC to Standing Indian Shelter

Last night in Bly Gap was a pain in my ass, literally. I set up my tent on a slight incline due to the terrain. All night long I was sliding off my sleeping pad and landing up on a tree root. The moon was bright and the Bard Owls were hooting.

I awoke at 0830 and packed up. At the top of Bly Gap is one of the most photographed trees on the AT. So I stopped for a photo op. it was a very cold morning in the low 30's. the climb out of Bly Gap was straight up for over a mile!!! The trail was a rock scramble at times. Water sources and springs were plentiful.

I arrived at Standing Indian Shelter around 1530 after hiking 9.9 miles. Changed into dry clothes, made a nice hot meal of lasagna and started a warming fire. How About and Ground pounder are here for the night also. Tomorrow the plan is to hike over Standing Indian Mountain (5498 above sea level) and arrive at Carter Gap Shelter for the night depending on weather. There is a storm front moving in tonight that may bring snow. It will be 7.6 mile day mostly uphill.

My cell phone battery is at half battery life and my external charger is completely depleted. I have three days until reaching Franklin North Carolina. The phone will be off and saved for emergencies only. My IPad is at 50% battery life.

So far I have hiked 86.3 miles!!! Until next time....