Blue Mountain Shelter to Tray Mountain Shelter covering a distance of 8.3 miles – Located at AT mile 58.4
Tarot Card of the Day – The High Priestess
The previous night was exceptionally cold, almost soul-crushingly so. However, the morning brought a stunning bright red sunrise that seemed to forgive the harsh cold of the night.
As the day progressed, the weather warmed up, transforming into a beautiful day for hiking.
Camp Life
Today, let’s delve into the topic of Full Privies! These small wooden structures house composting toilets. While they may be basic and occasionally emit unpleasant odors, they are certainly a more appealing option compared to digging a cat hole.
Recently, the privies at the last few shelters have been quite full, raising questions about the proper etiquette. Should one simply push the contents further down into the hole? Sitting atop a mound of waste is not the most pleasant experience, after all!
The mystery of the full privies was solved when an email alert regarding a stomach bug circulating in Georgia was received. Thank you for the heads-up, ATC, and remember to maintain proper hand hygiene, folks!
Let’s Discuss Water Filtration
There’s truly nothing quite like the refreshing taste of cold stream water! It’s a sensation beyond compare.
The only drawback is that accessing this pristine water source often entails a 0.2-mile trek down a steep hill from the campsite!
Moreover, the process of filtering the water can be time-consuming, especially when there’s a lingering doubt about the efficacy of the filter due to freezing temperatures overnight.
Nevertheless, filtering water remains an essential daily task. Throughout the day, I typically carry around 2 liters of water and have yet to run out.
At Unicoi Gap, we were once again blessed with Trail magic, courtesy of a group of hiking enthusiasts. Shutterbug Adventure on YouTube even filmed a video of me introducing myself. The continuous generosity of these individuals never ceases to amaze me.
Today’s hike presented challenging ascents and descents over Tray Mountain, yet it was also remarkably pleasant, accompanied by sunny weather and a gentle breeze for most of the day.
During our journey, we encountered a young hiker named Bard, who, when asked about his stopping point for the night, wisely replied, “Stop when your body tells you.” A perfect mantra for the trail!
We set up camp around 4:00 PM, igniting a cozy fire as per our routine. Later in the evening, Kegstand returned from town after receiving some treatment. The campsite offered breathtaking views overlooking the valley towards Hiawassee.
Observing the Spring Equinox
Following our meal, Underhill, Kegstand, Bard, and I gathered around the fire to conduct a small spring equinox ritual. Each participant wrote down their aspirations for the upcoming year on paper, and I utilized a smudge stick that I had acquired in Helen. Guiding them through a ceremonial opening, I recited the Druid Prayer, and together, we offered our intentions to the flames, accompanied by the fragrant smoke of the smudge stick as a symbolic offering.
I was deeply moved by the willingness of my companions to engage in a Pagan ritual.
As hiker midnight approached, we all retired to our respective sleeping quarters.