Waiting out the rain!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013
 Destination: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Starting Location: Pecks Corner Shelter
 Today's Miles: 5.20 Trip Miles: 210.52

Started with the intention of doing 13+ miles but gave that up when I got here and it started to rain. Had a snack, settled in and waited til time to to cook dinner. Someone woke me up and asked if I could move over a one space so the three of them could be together. They apologized for waking me but I told I had to get up any way and fix dinner. Group of four a little after dark.

 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Tuesday, April 16, 2013
 Destination: Pecks Corner Shelter
Starting Location: Ice Water Springs shelter
Today's Miles: 7.40 Trip Miles: 205.32

Today's hike was tough, I guess because I went to bed without dinner last night. I took Charlies Bunion side trail for the view. A day hiker there offered me some summer sausage, cheese and a piece of great bread. Tasted good!

Met PrayerWalker there. I had read dome of  her journal online. We hiked together for a while. The gang showed up at the shelter and spent the night.


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Happy Tax Day!

Monday, April 15, 2013
Destination: Ice Water Springs shelter
Starting Location: Gatlinburg
Today's Miles: 10.60 Trip Miles: 197.92

Had breakfast Buffet @ Bennett's.  Good food. Back to the room and packed up everything and could not find my head lamp so I picked up one at the outfitters before getting on the shuttle.

Got to clingmans Dome and on the trail around 11:30 and was on my way.  Meet some hikers at Indian Gap and a little later at New Found Gap (NFG) where they were debating going into Gatlinburg.  When I mentioned that I had eaten at Texas Road House she said, "I'm going to Gatlinburg!"

 At NFG I saw the interp board or new versions of the ones I had seen way back in 1970. The ones that introduced me to the Appalachian Trail for the first time.

 With the late start and having to make a half mile hike/climb up to the trail (that did not count) 10.6 miles put me at the shelter just after dark so it was good that I bought the new head lamp. I used the lamp the last 200 yards, just for safety. Set up and go to bed without any supper.

Found my lost head lamp rolled up in the sleeping bag, will have to send it home. The new one has a red lamp feature which other hikers will appreciate.


 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Yes, we have no wide shoes today!

Sunday, April 14, 2013
Destination: Gatlinburg
Starting Location: Gatlinburg
Today's Miles: 0.00 Trip Miles: 187.32

Decided I need another day to get all the rest I need and get chores done. Wanted to do a breakfast buffet that I had heard about but found out where it was too late so settled for KFC for lunch.

I went to NOC outfitter to look for shoes but found nothing that fit. Why is it that outfitters, and manufactures don't carry shoes and boots in wide widths? Don't they know that some hikers do have wide feet.  Did my grocery shopping and later back to NOC to find thinner socks in hopes that they would help with boot.. My right foot big toenail has been banging the toe box of my current boots. It has darkened, don't know if I will lose it or not. Trimmed it really short on the day I noticed it and that did help.

 Signed up form tomorrows free shuttle while I was there. Got the last slot. Went back to Texas Road House for dinner, got a big salad but could not eat all of it. Maybe it had something to do with that pint of ice cream am had eaten earlier! Planning for next few days looks like 10+ miles the first day out with a late start.

"All that is gold does not glitter,
 Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Can trees move?

Saturday, April 13, 2013
 Destination: Gatlinburg
Starting Location: Derrick Knob Shelter
 Today's Miles: 10.10 Trip Miles: 187.32

The highlight of the day was walking into a tree. So concentrating on the trail that I didn't see it leaning at a 45* angle across the trail. My hat's brim also blocked my view and BAM, top of my head right into the tree. Next thing I know, I'm sitting on my butt! I just sat there and laughed at myself for a minute or so. Now to get up with my pack on, not an easy task, nor is it a pretty site to watch! Fortunately, there were no spectators around! 

Something seemed crazy with the altimeter. I know I did the 500 foot climb, but the altimeter said I had not, so I readjusted the altimeter to my way of thinking and continued on... right up a 500 foot climb, so, I re-readjusted the altimeter again!

Made it to Clingmens Dome an caught a ride heading for Gatlinburg for the night, sharing a room with Laura and Charlie at the Grand Prix. Saved me having to my own room so I treated them to dinner at Texas Road House. I had the ribs and they were great. Charles bought the beer. May take another zero tomorrow depending on the rides back to the trail and need more rest.

"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Not the wrong way, again?

Friday, April 12, 2013
 Destination: Derrick Knob Shelter
Starting Location: Mollies Ridge Shelter
 Today's Miles: 11.70 Trip Miles: 177.22

 Record day today with 11.7 miles! Earlier, I hiked for quite a while without seeing a white blaze and was getting ready to make a major decent and I didn't want to go down an have to climb back up. I had turned a number of times to look for a south bound blaze without seeing any. So, I turned and started south, looking for a white blaze, and saw one in about 200 yards so I turned North again and  went down the mountain.  It was a steep drop and required slow going.

 I stopped and made dinner on the trail because I was running late and didn't want a lot to do when I get to the shelter. Got to the shelter just before dark an just had time to set my pad and sleeping bag. Good night, I'm tired!



 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Batten down the hatches!

Thursday, April 11, 2013
 Destination: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Starting Location: Birch Spring Gap camping area
Today's Miles: 6.10 Trip Miles: 165.52

Up and out early enough, but miles are hard to make. I wanted to make it to Russell Field Shelter, but a storm with high wind is coming in so I stayed at Mollies. Full house to over flowing. Rain started just after dark with winds and lightning. Lots of familiar faces here tonight.



"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

The Smoky Mountains National Park

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Destination: Birch Spring Gap camping area
Starting Location: Fontana Hilton
Today's Miles: 6.00 Trip Miles: 159.42

Up at sunrise and out by nine to do six miles into the GSMNP. Lots of rules to go by in the park and I knew I couldn't do 12 miles today so I settled in early. Upper 70s and 10 lbs extra food made for tough hiking so I just took my time and rested a lot.

Running low on water, I spotted a little puddle spring so I stopped an topped off. Half mile later a good stream was running across the trail. Oh, well, I didn't know! At one point I just dropped my pack, laid down on a big rock, and rested for 30 minutes. I was dead tired by the time to to start setting up the tent. This is only the second time for the tent. I did get a good night sleep and much needed rest. Note to self, "Trail food is getting really, really bad. Must do something about that!"



 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hilton

Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Destination: Fontana Hilton
Starting Location: Cable Gap Shelter
 Today's Miles: 6.00 Trip Miles: 153.42

Can you find the hidden lake?

Fontana Lake

 Up and out by 9:45. Arrived at the marina, a mile shy of the Hilton, and called the resort shuttle for a lift to P.O. and the General store for mail drop, a little resupply (mostly day snacks) and do laundry.  There was a $3.00 charge per head, but it was worth it.

When I stepped on the porch, people started talking about my Jacobs Ladder episode and trying to give me a new name but I would have none of it. I just called them wimps for only doing it once! Damn, I was going the wrong way!

Messed around a little more talking with the others, breaking down my food drop, eating snacks, and then caught the shuttle back to the trail and had one more mile to do before the Hilton. A 10lb food drop can add about 20 lbs to your pack weight, or so it seems.

There was a crowd at the shelter but most tented so the shelter was nearly empty. A few hikers were heading out around 10 pm to start a night hike into Smoky Mountain National Park.  Tomorrow I enter the Smokies.

 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien

Jacobs Ladder, Part Deux

Monday, April 08, 2013
Destination: Cable Gap Shelter
Starting Location: Brown Fork Shelter
Today's Miles: 6.10 Trip Miles: 147.42

Looking for the trail!

Is easy here...

But,can you find it here?
 Hint, look for the hiking pole scratch marks on the rocks.

 The day started out great! Up at seven, out by eight! The hiking was great!  There seemed to be a lot of South Bound hikers this morning for some reason.  When Jacobs Ladder was mentioned, I told them that they were not there yet and warned them of the steep climb.  I continue hiking for an hour or so and then I saw some power lines that I recognized!!! Damn! Was I  going the wrong way? Waited for a hiker to come by and confirm my suspicions, and damn, I was going the wrong way!  I got turned around and headed north again with Jacobs Ladder ahead.

I stopped for a break and to text try to contact Tore, with whom I was to share a room tonight, left voice mail and sent a text. Up and on my way again and doubt suddenly set in... "Was I going the wrong way again?"  So I stopped and waited for another to confirm or relieve my fears and before long a familiar face, Whirled Peas, came along and convinced me that I was going north.  What a relief! I had planned to make it to Fontana Dam tonight, but damn, I was going the wrong way.

So,it was back up Jacobs Ladder again. But I have to say that it was much easier earlier in the day! I ended up back at Brown Fork Shelter around noon and stopped there again to have lunch and resupply my water and change my plans for making it to Fontana Dam tonight.  I made it to Cable Gap Shelter, which was familiar.  This is where I hiked to last year on one of my training hikes when I came east to visit family.  Later, the Hart family arrived, and there were a number of new faces.  Taylor had acquired a trail name, Pink Panther, for her love of  pink!

So, 11.1 mile only count for 6.1 official miles but I will add five miles to my hiking credit... Damn, I was going the wrong way. But, I refuse to change my trail name!

 "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" -J.R.R. Tolkien