Woody Gap to Hogpen Gap Day 2 4K

Second backpacking trip of 2024 ... March 16 - 17, 2024
Included . Caitlin, myself, and Sally
Day 2 w. March 17, 2024
The winds had kicked up during the night and I’d decided to take my tarp down so I could just enjoy the night sky - because according to every weather app/forecast there wasn't SUPPOSED to be any rain! Well, about 7am I was awoken to what seemed like raindrops falling onto my hammock netting and onto my face! I jumped up real quick and threw up my tarp ... thankfully I've had practice and had it up in under 3 minutes then spent another couple minutes fine-tuning the setup to make sure I'd stay dry-because of course I brought the tarp without doors! And while I was up - I got Sally out and battened down her dog tent - so our packs would stay dry! Then, Sally & I got back in the hammock to chill for another couple of hours ... spending time reading, napping, and listening to fellow backpackers packing up their camps and the rain hitting my tarp. Thankfully, the rain was never really heavy and it had finally quit about the time we were ready to pack up and hit the trail.
After packing up camp, getting snacks for the day, and taking one last look around ... we were ready to get out of Bull Gap and start the first climb of the day. It was a relatively short climb to the top of Levelland Mountain where it was clear looking west, north, and south ... but east (the direction we were headed was foggy. It was so cool to see ... but it didn't last long. The sun came out with occasional cloud cover ... we enjoyed more ridgeline views - while passing some nice campsites! We took a final snack break at Cowrock before making the descent into Tesnatee Gap. Where we looked ahead and saw the upcoming final climb ... a doozy of a 500' climb in about a ⅐ mile. Caitlin crushed it... while well I struggle on hills but I huffed and puffed my way to the top! And shortly after ... we saw the car where we'd left it the day before at Hogpen Gap! There were people doing trail magic there and several people were enjoying the magic! Sometimes, I think the nicest people are trail people!
Things to note ... as I'd noted for the first day - the trees at Bull Gap were kinda worrying for me personally. Just be sure to look for potential widow makers. The views from Green Cliff Top & Cowrock are worth taking some time to enjoy - great snack breaks - there were also some really nice campsites too! There were a couple of water trails that I saw - one wasn't far off the trail (Sally utilized it) and there was a small stream at Tesnatee Gap. Utilize FarQut - it shows water sources, campsites, and all that fun stuff. All in all ... a great overnight along the Appalachian Trail!

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

I really enjoyed these lovely videos, hope you have a lovely weekend debs xx

[@roselee_explores]

So happy you enjoyed them! Happy trails, Debs :)

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

@@roselee_explores my pleasure you have a lovely channel debs xx