Date: 2015-03-13
From: Rock Gap (Franklin, NC)

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today started out in a small frenzy: I had to finish packing the inordinate amount of food that I bought, mail off a few unneeded items, refill on denatured alcohol (my cooking fuel), and update my Trail Journal... all before the free shuttle back to the trail departed at 11am. Fortunately, I was able to accomplish all of these things around town in time, despite being on foot. Upon arriving at Rock Gap, where I left off to head into Franklin, I spotted a tarped-off area with a ton of people standing around talking and eating. TRAIL MAGIC! Turns out a college group from Ohio were on their spring break and decided to use the last day of their trip to provide free food (pizza, fried chicken, hot chocolate, and assorted sugary goodies) to thru hikers. I couldn't have been more thankful. But considering that the wind and a light rain had begun (a prequel of the day's coming weather), I didn't spend too long talking. I didn't want to start out the hike shivering! The three amigos/roommates - Seeker, Banana Boat, and myself - and a few other hikers all set out to make some miles for the day. Since I have planned out the next week's mileage ahead of time (in order to meet friends and family in Gatlinburg next weekend) I knew that I didn't have any rush, so I was quickly outpaced by everyone except Banana Boat. We chatted intermittently as we walked, often interrupted by wind and rain. As the day and the miles progressed, the weather only got worse. Despite what clever advertising and the name itself may tell you, there is no such thing as waterproof hiking gear. Eventually, with enough time out in a downpour, it will be just as wet inside of your rain gear as it is outside. That point was reached by Banana Boat and myself about 7mi into the hike. It only took a quick break near the top of Siler Bald to leave us both chilled and looking for shelter. Unfortunately, the nearest AT shelter was over a mile away and almost certainly filled to the brim with other soggy, smelly hikers. After a moment of discussion, we decided to press on to find a decent spot to camp. At exactly 9.5mi into the hike, we found a suitable place to pitch two tents and began fumbling with frozen fingers to get everything set up. An hour later, my tent was set up, I was in dry clothes and decently thawed, and I was halfway finished burning my pasta dinner to the bottom of my titanium pot. Once dinner was scarfed down and minor housekeeping (or rather tent-keeping) done, I retired to my sleeping bag to finish defrosting my fingers and toes. Almost as soon as dusk arrived, the rain returned and made for a relaxing chorus of white noise against my tent.As a preview of next weekend, I will be traveling almost 90 miles in the next 7 days to arrive at Newfound Gap (the nearest road crossing to Gatlinburg). There, I will hopefully be met by my sweet girlfriend, Evan, her twin sister, Hanna, and one of my best friends and fraternity brothers, Jesse, on Friday. The next day, my younger sister and my dad will be meeting us - my brother and mother will unfortunately be indisposed due to school. Nevertheless, I very much look forward to seeing all of them next weekend and to the possibility of introducing them to a few fellow hikers who might also be weekend-ing in Gatlinburg. But now, I must rest. These miles won't walk themselves, you know!