The Neel Gap Test: What Gear Survived

My first driving destination on the trail was Neel Gap. I went through my first few days blessed with great weather, and then I had a misty, foggy day for the hike up Blood Mountain. Others around me were complaining, but I felt like it supplied a perfect spookiness for hiking up a haunted mountain.

After reaching the summit shelter and meeting a few campers up there with a beautiful black dog, I hiked down the other side with great care, nursing a tender knee, but I eventually made it down to the road at Neel Gap and crossed to Mountain Crossing, the famous first stop on the trail.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Tony "Rescue" Bird.

The Trek: The Neel Gap Test: What Gear Survived

The Neel Gap Test: What Gear Survived

My first driving destination on the trail was Neel Gap. I went through my first few days blessed with great weather, and then I had a misty, foggy day for the hike up Blood Mountain. Others around me were complaining, but I felt like it supplied a perfect spookiness for hiking up a haunted mountain.

After reaching the summit shelter and meeting a few campers up there with a beautiful black dog, I hiked down the other side with great care, nursing a tender knee, but I eventually made it down to the road at Neel Gap and crossed to Mountain Crossing, the famous first stop on the trail.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Tony "Rescue" Bird.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Writer, Hiker
Tony "Rescue" Bird
Tony (he/him), trail name Rescue, is a retired USAF veteran who is hanging up his wings to join the Appalachian Trail thru-hiking class of 2026.
Media Mentions

The Trek: The Neel Gap Test: What Gear Survived

The Neel Gap Test: What Gear Survived

My first driving destination on the trail was Neel Gap. I went through my first few days blessed with great weather, and then I had a misty, foggy day for the hike up Blood Mountain. Others around me were complaining, but I felt like it supplied a perfect spookiness for hiking up a haunted mountain.

After reaching the summit shelter and meeting a few campers up there with a beautiful black dog, I hiked down the other side with great care, nursing a tender knee, but I eventually made it down to the road at Neel Gap and crossed to Mountain Crossing, the famous first stop on the trail.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Tony "Rescue" Bird.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Writer, Hiker
Tony "Rescue" Bird
Tony (he/him), trail name Rescue, is a retired USAF veteran who is hanging up his wings to join the Appalachian Trail thru-hiking class of 2026.
Media Mentions
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