Day 9: Good News on Dunkeroo's Knees

Starting Point: Unicoi Gap (52.7)

Ending Point: Tray Mountain Shelter (58.5)

Total Miles: 5.8 trail miles.  3.0 bonus.

Steps: 20,849

Achievements: Rocky Mountain, Tray Mountain

The shuttle back to the trail was leaving at 11 a.m.  The goal for Dunkeroo was to haul his behind up Rocky Mountain and determine if he could continue.  If it hurt too much, he could hike back to Unicoi Gap and catch the shuttle when it returned at 4 p.m.

The good news is a combination of a brace and some Vitamin-I, the pain was minimal.  I didn't want to see him go.

With that, we kept it a short day.  There are two ways to resupply from Hiawassee.  The first is Unicoi Gap at 52.7 miles.  The second, and better choice is at 69.4.  The next resupply for us is in Franklin, NC at mile 109.6.

Because of that, I left with six days of food.  The climb of two mountains and ten pounds of food left me dragging to the end.  Dunkeroo, the injured hiker beat me easily.  The fault is mine.  I should have stopped for lunch, but "it was only five miles".

Tomorrow, we are expecting some heavy rain.  It might be seven miles to the shelter.  We will see how heavy it is.  Dunkeroo says he might be good for 10.