Date: 2012-03-31
From: Deep Gap, NC

To: Rock Gap, NC
Miles today: 20.7

We arrived back up at Deep Gap around 8:15 after a night in Hiawassee due to the rainstorm. Deep Gap looked like tent and hammock city! To think that we had stayed there alone only the day before! From what we were told, the rain filled up the shelters, so people camped where they could. We were immediately told about a gentleman who had hiked until 3 AM and had stayed out in the weather, never setting up his tent. Tagalong to the rescue! He took this gentleman back to Hiawassee to the Budget Inn where he could get a hot shower and some needed rest.In the meantime, I began the hike up toward Standing Indian Mountain, stopping at the shelter by the same name on the way and chatting with the hikers there. It was quite foggy, but as it started to fade, everything looked so green, and smelled so fresh. Even the birds seemed happier. I was dreading the hike up Standing Indian as it was around 1200 ft, but it was really easy in the end. It was just a gradual uphill and I was at the summit before I knew it. The only disappointing aspect was that while the sun had now come out at the summit, the valleys were still socked in with fog; hence, no views. The descent was fairly gradual as well and lasted for miles. I stopped to talk with some other hikers that I had leapfrogged with the day before. I also saw Bob, who was limping (knee)and was going to make it a short day to rest some. I later learned from Kim that Bob is from Holland, MI - go figure!! Hope I see him again at some point.As I was headed down to Betty Creek Gap, I saw a flash of color to my right and there was an unmarked overlook with amazing views. Another hiker couple were there taking a break, so I joined them on the rock outcropping for some lunch. Just as they were packing up, Kim showed up and ate as well.The hike from Standing Indian was downhill with a few rolling ridgelines - really nice, and the miles just melted away. Before I knew it, I was at Mooney Gap and Tagalong was there to meet me. I had planned for this to be the end of my day (13.4 miles around 1:30). I put everything in the van and he asked me if I was through hiking for the day. I replied that I thought I was. So we took a ride UP the mountain road, and saw the blue blazed trail that circumvents Albert Mountain if one does not want to do the climb. Tagalong said that he thought I should at least do the approach trail to Albert Mountain (about 1.5 miles) so that I could just begin the climb in the morning. Okay, so he convinced me. I had already sent a SPOT message home indicating that I was done for the day. So back down to Mooney Gap we go, I put on the pack, get my poles, and take off on the Trail north again. Soon, I was at the base of the mountain, with Tagalong ready to pick me up. I proceed to tell him that I just think I am going to make the climb and get it over with. Tagalong says that he will hike in from the other side on the blue blaze trail and meet me at the firetower at the top. My climb then began in earnest, and before I knew it, I was having to navigate huge boulders hand-over-hand on the way to the summit. This lasted for about a half mile, with small glimpses of dirt trail interspersed. I climbed the firetower and the views were amazing. I was probably was there for 5 minutes or so, taking in the landscape and then I heard Tagalong's voice coming up the trail from the other side. He soon joined me and was glad he did. Kim showed up soon after. She asked me if I was done for the day now. I said I was that I was going to hike north to the blue blaze and out to the van with Tagalong. We parted knowing that we would see one another tomorrow on the trail.After getting in the van, sending a second SPOT message, and resting a bit, I turned and looked at Tagalong and said that I think I really could make it to Rock Gap before dark if I got back on the trail. It was mostly downhill, except for a small 300 ft climb. He is such a saint! He says "okay", I 'll see you there! So off I go again.As soon as the blue blaze trail reconnected with the AT, there is Kim. She really wants to know if I am ok, and starts laughing! I tell her that I changed my mind and decided to move on to Rock Gap. She was going to stay at the next shelter so we parted company. I hiked with another hiker until Glassmire Gap. Here, he decided to take a break, and I decided to make the ascent and hike on as some dark clouds were forming in the sky to the east.I huffed and puffed a little on the ascent due to my speed, but soon was at the top, and then had ridgeline hiking for about a mile before the descent began. Shortly thereafter, the wind really started to pick up, and the rain began. I stopped, pulled out my tarp poncho, put the backpack back on and then my poncho on. I must have been a sight flying down that mountain in the wind and the rain. About a mile before I stopped, there was Trail Magic up in the tree left by GingerSnap, but since it was raining and so windy I decided to pass it up. I continued to fly down the mountain past Rock Gap shelter to the parking lot where Tagalong was waiting for me. I did not send a 3rd SPOT message as I thought my family would think I was really losing it!The rain stopped and we went to Standing Indian Campground for the night (really nice!). We selected a site across from the bathroom - that is, a bathroom with a shower - yes!! It is funny how things you take for granted at home become so important on the Trail. After some Chili Mac for supper, it was a shower, and then off to bed. Hiker midnight - 7:30.