Slept reasonably well having the tent to myself for the first time on this hike, though it still got a little cold. Once I crawled out of the tent I realized there was even frost on it.
I was on the trail by 9 am and arrived at Dick’s Creek Gap by noon. Switchback, ’03 thru-hiker, was set up providing a spread of warm food to this year’s thru-hiker crowd. It was delicious and a much appreciated break. Switchback now runs the Pinhoti Outdoor Center that offers shuttles and hostels to hikers.
After an absolutely brutal climb out of the gap it was only three miles until I arrived at the Plumorchard Gap Shelter. It was early in the day to quit, only 3 pm, but after the unexpected long day yesterday I was ready to stop. This shelter was one of the nicer ones I’ve come across so far. It has three levels to choose from and the top levels seemed well protected from the wind. By 4 pm there were only 4 other people hanging around the shelter and they were planning to stay in their tents so I decided make this my first night sleeping in a shelter. My biggest concern is the mice but with all my food and scented items in the bear box we’ll see how it goes.
Going to start a fire and spend the rest of the evening realizing for a couple hours. I’m excited that the overnight low is forecast to be 38 deg, and it makes me sad that I consider 38 deg to be warm now.
Day 9 Mileage: 9.9 mi [Addis Gap -> Plumorchard Gap Shelter]
Total Mileage: 82.0 mi