day 76 – 86

day 86   june 25th justis creek campsite to springer mtn. 13 mi 65-95 deg , 8 am-3 pm loads of climbs

final day on the southern half of the AT. climbed four miles from 3 forks to the terminus of the trail atop springer mtn. called for the shuttle , took some pics and hiked back down to the parking lot to be picked up. he showed , with a 12 pack of brew. naturally I had six before we got to the hostel and had the place to myself. friday morn, june 26th , he took me into the marta station for a train ride to the airport, where I flew stand-by for 7 hrs before my scheduled departure at 8:30 pm. got to st louis and was greeted by 95 deg heat! welscome fome!

day 85  neels gap hostel – justis creek campsite  17 mi  65 – 95 deg unconfirmed bear…flushed not seen, 1 deer.

set my tent up on the lawn behind the hostel. too hot and smelly inside. place was packed. slept good on the yard and got an early start for my second to the last day. had a good climb up blood mtn and was treated to some excellent views. 13 mi to springer!

day 84 low gap shelter to neels gap hostel.  11 mi ,2 good steeps, 1 BEAR , 1 deer. 60 – 90 deg, 8:15 am – 2 pm.

had a miserable nights sleep as my pack and food bag were under assault constantly by flying squirrels. I’d read in the shelter journal that it was a possibility and was watchful. sure enough they were real and HUNGARY!! the mice in the shelter were “circus mice” and whenever I shone my headlamp they put on a show. dancing and doing tricks. so in combination of tossing rocks at squirrels and shooing circus mice I had no chance to sleep. was a peaceful place too, so I had a short day to neels gap and after a 22 mi the day before!