Date: 2013-03-21
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.1

Another really cold morning. I made the mistake of wearing too many layers. I should have dressed lighter because the climb out of the NOC was long; I began to sweat. The wind was so cold I didn¢t want to take off my top layer but I paid the price because then I began to get cold. It was difficult to regulate my temperature. From the NOC it is an uphill climb for almost 6 miles (1,746 ft. to 4,710 ft.). There was a little snow on the ground (which at the time I thought was pretty). The trail was frozen and crunchy - this was on the sunny side of the mountain. On the shady side of the mountain, there was more snow and it was very slick. I realized that a lot of the walk has been ¢on the edge.¢ The trail is very narrow and drops dangerously down from the side. Carly and Hermes passed me. Oh, youth !I reached Cheoah Bald around 4 PM, I think. The picture is of a sunny day but I could see my breath ! Had it all to myself for a few minutes. Then 4 men joined me. I took a group pic of them and asked them to take a pic of me. I was exhausted and decided Cheoah Bald was my Katahdin. I called my husband and told him ¢ ¢I¢m done!¢ From the AWOL guide I found a number for Phil Capper, The Cabin in the Woods. I had two bars on my AT&T phone and the call went through. He said he was full that night with hikers coming off the trail due to the bitter cold. I didn¢t have it in me to make it to the highway that night anyway but asked him to pick me up about 10 AM the next morning. Nick would meet me at The Cabin in the Woods later in the day.I have never been a klutz but I was this day. My right foot stepped on what I thought was the trail but went down the side up to my knee. I fell onto my left knee. So there I was with a small tree on my right side and a rock on my left and I was down with nothing to leverage my right leg on to stand back up. I couldn¢t take off my pack because the space was so narrow it may have fallen down off the mountain. There was a small tree on my right side not any bigger around than my wrist. I pulled on it to see if it would hold me and I thought it would. I grabbed on and pulled myself up on the left side and drug my right leg out of the leaves and mud hanging off the side. Of course, I said a prayer of thanksgiving. Another time I fell on my right knee. I fell on my bottom coming down some rocks. I scooted down some rocks because my legs were not long enough to navigate the steps down. Coming down to Locust Cove Gap there was more snow and rocks. I slipped and went down with my left leg behind me and my right leg out in front of my ¢ remember the splitz ! Down on my bum. I slightly strained my quadriceps on the left leg. March 21st was a hard day for me. I am vigilant while I walk because it is dangerous terrain and I still trip, slip/slide, stumble, and fall.I arrived at Locust Cove Gap about 6 PM, set up my tent, had quite a walk down and then back up for the water. Cooked a meal and tried to give away my food so I didn¢t have to carry it down the mountain. My candy was a hit. I went to bed. My last night on the Appalachian Trail was another cold one but my sleeping set up kept me warm and for that I¢m very grateful. I slept without putting in my ear plugs. It was a very quiet night.