Day 9 Betty Creek Gap to Wayah Gap

Today's miles 18.1   AT total 115.7

Yet again another gorgeous cold, dry, crisp, sunny day.  We were up early, I got a great shot while having my morning pee of our illuminated tent at dawn, and on the trail for 8:15am again today.   We passed the 100 mile mark this morning, woohoo, just before reaching Albert Mountain Fire Tower.  It was a steep climb to the top of Albert Mountain (5250ft) but definitely worth it for the views.  We climbed the tower but couldn't get right onto the top platform of it as it was locked. 

We passed a great display of large icicles, just shows how cold it got the last two nights.  We also passed by a Southbound thru hiker taking a rest, sorry but we've forgotten his name, it could have been Prada or Plodder?  He was one of the last of the 2013 season southbounders apparently.  He must have had some bitterly cold days over the winter.

The trail was relatively easy again today, a few slightly steeper climbs, but as always it was so beautiful in the sunny woods.  Less of a cold wind today so slightly warmer, we were actually able to take our jackets off!
It was our biggest mileage day so far today, but we made good progress and arrived at Wayah Gap at 4:15pm.  From here we telephoned Steve at Aquone Hiker Lodge for a pick up.

Steve and Maggie, the owners are fellow Brits. Steve thru hiked in 2010 and opened this hostel in 2012, they're just starting their 3rd season. The Aquone is an amazing hostel, definitely 5* quality.  We're the only ones staying here tonight so have the place to ourselves.  They provide evening meals and breakfast, laundry, supplies, drying room etc. Maggie cooked a great meal, the first proper meal we've had since starting the trail. We sat and chatted with them for a while after dinner over a beer (Nigel & Steve) & mug of tea (me, Maggie & David) and also with a friend of theirs, David, who popped by.  He was a great character with loads of local wildlife stories to tell.
We handed our laundry over at dinner and by the time we went to bed our laundry had been done. They also provide spare clothes to wear whilst you get everything smelly you own washed.