Appalachian Trail Day 28 - Allen Gap to Jerry's Cabin Shelter - Bear Hang gone wrong (Mile 290 - 302)

We are up at daybreak, packing quickly and sitting outside eating our breakfast when Kodiak joins us.  She has received a text from our shuttle driver that they won't be able to shuttle the three of us together, so she will have to pay full fare with another driver.  I'm not going to name names, but this is the same shuttle driver who originally agreed to pick us up in Damascus on Sunday but ghosted me up until he texted me to say he couldn't do it.  I was in a panic last week and scrambling to find us another ride to Hot Springs.  Thank goodness Steve was available.  I tell Kodiak this story and we all decide that after today we are done with this particular shuttle service.  Steve was going to be our go to shuttle if we need anyone for the next hundred or so miles.  

Our shuttle shows up with a large SUV, easily big enough for the three of us, as well as several more hikers. We have a discussion with the driver, and after a phone call to his boss, decides he will transport the three of us together, but jacks up the price. Usually, the price is the same regardless of the number of hikers.  Sometimes the shuttles will have a small surcharge of $5 per extra person. They know they have us by the short and curlies, so we agree on a number and head back to Allen Gap. 

Leaving Allen Gap

We take pictures with the forest sign next to the road and head up the trail. The air in the valley is heavy with humidity, but it's supposed to be clear today. Hopefully the sun will burn off the fog. 

The next shelter, Jerry's Cabin, is 12 miles up the trail.  Because of the bear activity, we decide Jerry's Cabin is the best place to camp, since most shelters have either a bear box (a big, heavy metal box bolted to the ground), or bear cables with which we can hoist our food high in the air, out of the reach of the bears.  I really didn't want to do 12 miles today after my punishing hike yesterday, but the thought of stealth camping in bear country is a strong motivator!

Along the climb we get rewarded for our hard work with some really beautiful views.  The trail gives us a little bit of everything today: rocky climbs, woodland paths, towering trees, blooming rhododendron.  You name it, we saw it - except for rain, thankfully!  The high humidity made us sweat buckets all day.  Like so much of the last 100 miles, we hike with one foot in Tennessee and one foot in North Carolina, which we will continue to do for the next 100 miles.

GG climbing up some stone steps

Big Firescald Knob

The big hike up seemed like it would never end.  The trail was very steep in places, but we finally made it to the highlight of the day.  Big Firescald Knob is a rocky ridge walk with a 360-degree view.  We spent quite a while relaxing and snacking while taking in the views. 

The view wasn't the only highlight at the top of the mountain.  Just after starting our descent, we hit the 300 mile mark!! This is a huge accomplishment for us, and we celebrate with a picture.

We arrive at Jerry's Cabin Shelter just as we are getting hungry for dinner.  The shelter is situated just off the trail with a pleasant grassy area in front of the shelter which is surrounded by trees. We find Kodiak in the shelter, set up for the night.  I quickly get set up in a tent site about 75 yards from the shelter.  A family comes in and sets up between my camp and the shelter.  

We filter water and sit at the picnic table with Kodiak for dinner.  She tells us about how she started the trail six weeks prior.  She started out slow and has been steadily increasing her mileage as she gets her trail legs.  She took a leave of absence from her job in the medical field to thru hike.  

After dinner we clean up and consider our bear bag situation.  There is a bear cable directly in front of the shelter, but the family has hung a mess of very heavy food bags on the cables and now it is hanging low enough that a bear could readily reach the bags if they stood on their hind legs (which they can easily do).  

We decide to hang our own bear rope in a nearby tree.  I get out the rope and connected carabiner,  fill the little attached bag with rocks, and launch the bag into the air over a tree branch. I promptly get the rope stuck in the tree. I must admit I hate the bear bag process, probably because I suck at it.  We laugh heartily as we try to dislodge the snag with our extended hiking poles, but give up after a short battle with the line.  

We end up hanging our food on the low-hanging bear cable.  It will be safe from mice, at least.  We would have to hike back the 12 miles if a bear gets our food.  This is bad, but worse will be if a bear gets hurt because it becomes habituated to people. 

We say goodnight and head to our respective campsites.  Good night!

Todays stats: 12 miles, 3500' gain

Trip stats: 27 miles, 8k feet

Trail Stats: 302 miles, 74k ascent