Sassafras Gap camp to Dicks Creek Gap/Hiawassee

3/24/15 - It's a good thing it didn't rain last night, I tore the pole pocket on my tent and it collapsed.  Ultralight tents are cool but fragile, and I roll at night.  On the way down from Kelly's Knob this morning, I passed 2000 Thruhiker Tater and his six month old yellow Lab.  Tater told me the outfitter in Franklin has a satellite shop in Hiawassee.  I called them and they can get a tent up by tomorrow morning.  It'll weigh more, but is free standing and easier to put up, important in the rain.

Coming off Powell Mountain after Kelly's Knob, I got Trail Magic from a group of dayhikers.  Five couples in their sixties or seventies had fanny packs with tangerines and packets of mixed nuts.  The tangerine sure was good at the Gap!

At the Gap, Thruhiker Foot had more Trail Magic, Snickers bars and butterscotch drops. 

I met SirPacksaLot, the owner of Top of Georgia hostel, as well as Rennaisance, Buttercup, both staffers at ToG.  SPL agrees with my decision to change tents; he feels that ultralight tents are a bad idea on the southern AT due to the temperate rainforest climate.

Meadow will be leaving the trail tomorrow.  She's been a fun hiker, and will be missed.  Colt 45 and Crusoe will start out late with Wolfpack.  So I'll be transitioning to a new group of as yet unmet hikers.