Sat, Mar 26 2016 - Key swap Woody Gap-Neels Gap-Blood Mountain 10.7 (View Original Event Details)
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Fifteen hikers. Two teams. One goal. To hike an 11-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, one team starting at Woody Gap and the other at Neel's Gap, meeting on the trail in the middle to swap car keys, then finally coming back together to break bread and return cars to rightful owners. Team Wynn's eight adventuresome members began at Woody Gap, switchbacking up through hardwood forest to Preacher's Rock on top of Big Cedar Mountain. Continuing across Burnett Field Mountain, they ran into Team Lisa around Jarrard Gap. Fist bumps were exchanged all around and no one was left hanging. We enjoyed a water break, snacks were produced, tales were exchanged, layers were shed, walkie talkies were tested, and - crucially - keys were swapped. Team Wynn continued on through Bird Gap and Slaughter Gap before powering through the steep climb to the summit of Blood Mountain, at 4,461 feet the highest point on the AT in Georgia. Descending Blood Mountain, most of Team Wynn browsed around the Mountain Crossings store while Wynn and Ralph retrieved Lisa and Jeanne's cars from the parking area 1/2 mile up the road. Then on to Gustavo's Pizzaria in Dahlonega!
Meanwhile, Team Lisa had gathered in front of the Mountain Store at Neel's Gap while Lisa and Jeanne parked the cars 1/2 mile up the hill. Hopping on the AT, they immediately began the ascent of Blood Mountain. They switchbacked through boulder fields and steep climbs across sheer rock faces to reach the welcome sight of the shelter atop Blood Mountain. After a quick photo shoot in the bracing wind, Team Lisa adjusted their packs and took off at a steady clip down Blood Mountain to Slaughter Gap, and on to Bird and Jarrard Gap, exchanging pleasantries with thru hikers on their way to Maine. Then behold! the meeting up with Team Wynn, fist bumps, photos, the all-important key swap, and onward. Gordon took off ahead like a lightning bolt for some trail running while the remainder of Team Lisa blasted through to Preacher's Rock. We passed the lighning bolt on his way back and he offered encouraging words to the effect of "you're almost done."
Finding the vehicles that matched the keys in our pockets at the Woody Gap parking lot, Team Lisa reunited with Team Wynn at Gustavo's. Refreshing beverages, salads, and pizzas were savored. While this "key swap" was not a competition, it must be noted that several members of Team Wynn lingered in Dahlonega for smoothies, while the entire Team Lisa made it to the finish line - er, park and ride - first.
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