#010 Day 5: Low Gap Shelter to Cheese Factory Camp Area. ATMM 42.8 – 56.2

“It’s not an ordinary roll of toilet paper!”, he frantically explains, “I really need to find its owner!"

A hiker is running around camp this morning with a roll of toilet paper in his hand. He found it in the privy. He seems determined to find its owner. “It’s not an ordinary roll of toilet paper,” he frantically explains. “I really need to find the owner!”

We later find out from a couple of south-bound hikers that it is indeed not an ordinary roll of toilet paper. The roll doubled as a wallet for one of the through-hikers. Bad move dude--there was eight hundred dollars rolled up in it. That was most likely the entire hiking budget from Georgia to Maine for the owner. The hiker was found, and all the money was returned to him. A hundred-dollar reward was offered to the finder, but he turned down the offer. A great way to experience the greatness of humanity is to step out of society.

Honesty abounds on the trail.

More big climbs and many impressive clear views greet me throughout the day. Resting at Unicoi Gap, I ponder hitch-hiking into Helen GA. I didn’t need anything but thought it would be fun. I decide to move on instead.

The temperature continues to climb as I climb Rocky Mountain. I pull off my shirt to avoid overheating. Sweat runs from my forehead into my eyes, down my nose, and falls to the trail. Completely covered in sweat I plod onward, upward. Feeling strong. Feeling free.

I am free of all worries. I only have one concern in this moment; hike. Nothing else. There is nothing else. My mind is clear. My heart vigorously pushes blood through my veins. I am strong. I am free.

I stop for the night at a camp area called The Cheese Factory. There is a cool breeze and a good water source nearby. That’s all this hiker really needs to be happy.

I find Problem Child setting up her hammock between two trees at a nearby overlook. We eat our supper with a recently retired lady who had wanted to through-hike the A.T. all her life and finally found a time to do it.

A guy with a dog is camping near us. I walk over to talk with him for a little while. He’s comes up here often, he’s just out here for a few days.

As night falls the temperature drops dramatically. The wind becomes strong. It begins to rain. We all head to our tents and hammocks. After hiking all day in the heat I’m ready for a sound night’s sleep. The cold wind coupled with steady rain and sleet serenades me into a deep sleep.