Thu Apr 10, 2014 @ 17:00

Day 11 - Standing Indian Shelter to Betty Creek Gap

11 miles

Another clear, sunny and coolish day. Again, perfect hiking. (Feeling lucky with the weather.)

Most of our friends were doing 16 miles today to get into Franklin early tomorrow morning for their resupply.

Feeling melancholy that there are no friends at camp tonight. I had no idea how important that was to us.

Tenacious Bling was moody today. Yesterday it was Padawan.

After lunch I stopped to have some time to myself. I took a nap (in the open woods) and then hiked the last two hours by myself. I enjoyed that time and arrived at camp refreshed.

The camp at Betty Creek Gap is less than inspiring, a low-lying, rhododendron jungle feel. Padawan is teary tonight and I miss having alone time with Damien. We are looking forward to moving on.

I'm sleeping in the Tarp Tent tonight with Otter. Good thing no rain is forecast tonight, I'm nervous about this tent after it got soaked that night at the Cheese Factory Site after hiking out of Unicoi Gap. And this tent site is poor, low and packed.

We need to work on our getting out of camp routine. Aiming for 8am tomorrow morning, planning to hike till 4pm when we'll meet Nancy at Winding Stair Gap to pick us up for our resupply.