On Day 4, we got picked up at Jarrard Gap to stay at Suches Wilderness Ranch for a resupply and Zero.
My feet really needed the rest day.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.reallydoingthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240717_1051082726420981039110194.jpg?resize=640%2C262&ssl=1)
This place was a camper with a nice deck and outdoor shower. We spent our Zero Day replenishing calories (i.e. stuffing our faces) and resting our feet.
Today was Day 5 and an exciting day!
We got back on trail at 8.30am and made the long hike up to the top of Blood Mountain. This is the tallest mountain on the GA section of the AT.
There was a nice cool mist in the morning as we meandered our way up the mountain. It was just us and the woods.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.reallydoingthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240718_0852068484128367087257925.jpg?resize=640%2C262&ssl=1)
At the top, we saw the Blood Mountain Shelter
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.reallydoingthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240718_1025057441206796359563579.jpg?resize=640%2C262&ssl=1)
We are not huge fans of shelters (hello Nora virus ) but this one was an interesting one with the stone walls.
The view from the top was beautiful.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.reallydoingthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240718_1043584645178257412408645.jpg?resize=640%2C262&ssl=1)
Coming down the other side, I was excited to make it to the famous Mountain Crossing Outfitters.
This is the place with the boot tree. On AT thru hike attempts, many people end up quitting here or have to change bad shoes and throw their shoes on this tree.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.reallydoingthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_20240718_134739_3628984944831320725667.jpg?resize=640%2C335&ssl=1)
It was a great little outfitters. We got pizza and replenished some gear. I got a light t shirt so I could have an option to wear it without my socks under my backpack straps and a few little things.
Michael got a new pair of shoes too.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.reallydoingthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240718_1203038584043196197519832.jpg?resize=640%2C262&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.reallydoingthis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240718_1305586696982212629093467.jpg?resize=640%2C262&ssl=1)
Got some Trail Magic too in the form of free pizza for hikers (thank you whoever it was that left those coupons).
Oh and I got my pack adjusted by the famous Pack Whisperer 😆, a rite of passage for AT Hikers.
With our bellies full of pizza and diet coke, we reluctantly set off for the second half of the day and made it a few more miles to a quiet deserted little Gap for the night.
There is an abandoned tent here that looks like it’s been here for at least a week (according to hiker comments on Far Our) but we checked it and it’s empty.
The rain is coming down so we are just chilling out now and resting up for another big day of hiking tomorrow.