Day 6- Tray Mountain Shelter to Dick's Creek Gap to Top of Georgia Hostel

Total Miles 69.6
Miles Today 11.1
Hiking time: 0530 to 1215
Tray Mnt Shelter to Dick's Creek Gap to Top of Georgia hostel
Weather: Rained after we got off the trail
Breakfast: Dark Chocolate dipped in peanut butter with cold instant coffee.

  I slept like a rock from 9 pm until 2 am. Then I was awake , very unlike a rock. I hung out in my hammock until 445am, and then decided to wake Sage for an early start.  We hiked the first 45 minutes with our headlamps.  By sunrise we were 2.25 miles down the trail. After two hours, we were about 4 miles down the trail.  And I hit the wall.  Once again, Sage was hiking much faster than me.  I was really slow on the climbs.  On the flatter sections or descents,  Sage and I were passing other hikers. Only to have them catch up on the next climb.

     As I talk about this, I realize how easy it is for hikers to focus on daily mileage, not the hike itself. I'm certainly guilty of it. Is this some sort of competition?  Who are we competing against? 

   I think we are doing this because it is hard. And because we enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

    Ok...that sounds like I'm trying to give the right answer.

   I just started a discussion in the hostel to see if anyone had a better answer.  Here is what we came up with:

   In daily life, your brain is abused but your body is resting. On the trail, your body is abused, but your brain is resting.

   Folks hike the AT for a variety of reasons,  I guess my reason is pretty simple. We are really enjoying it.

    But not today. Ugh, I was really dragging. I'm not sure if it was the limited sleep, or the combined effects of multiple days of hiking back to back. I suppose another possible answer is that I'm in poor physical condition and simply trying to do more than my body can do.

Nah...probably just need more peanut m&m's. 

The most exciting thing that happened today was that Sage walked up on a rattlesnake. It was coiled right next to the trail, shook it's rattles really loud, and moved it's head back and forth like it was trying to decide where to strike. Sage ran back up the trail and told me what happened.  As I discussed our options to proceed,  since the snake was right next to the trail, it helpfully crossed over and moved away from the trail. But not before I got a picture.

   We arrived at Top of Georgia hostel, where they issue medical scrubs to wear while your hiking clothes are getting washed. In fact, we all wore them into town.  

First stop was Daniel's Buffet. 

Next we stopped at a couple grocery stores to resupply. The hostel provides a ride to and from town, so we waited at the grocery for a ride back to Th hostel. 

For dinner I made Steak Fajitas...Sage and I woofed them down.

Today was a great day even though the hiking was harder than it should have been. Indoor plumbing, shower, a clean bed, a full kitchen and a great night sleep. 

Later that evening I looked at my right foot and noticed it was swollen. It has has been hurting on the arch of the foot. My shoe was a bit tight, and over the course of a few days, and especially on the downhiils, the ache has increased. I have come up with the plan to loosen my shoelaces, we will see if that helps.