Date: 2005-03-26
From: Winding Stair Gap 

To: Campsite @ 117.1 mi marker
Miles today: 10.5

Started @ Winding Stair Gap Destination: Campsite @ 117.1 mi markerToday's Miles:10.5Total miles: 117.1Day15Today we left Franklin, N.C. and got to the trail head at around9:30 after going to the P.O. to send Tater his shirt and a couple of post cards to grandkids. Our shuttle driver thought the P.O. opened at 8:30 bit it doesn't open till 9 on Saturdays. So we waited around for half an hour waiting while all we wanted to do was start hiking. Once we did start the trail, though, it was an hour and a half climb for us to the top of the first mountain. We were to meet Phoenix and Red Hat at a campsite and call it a day but when we got there, about 8 miles into the hike, there was a note on the sign indicating the way point, Wine Spring, telling us to go on to the next campsite at mile marker 117.1. My feet were ready to call it a day and were already screaming. The next 2.3 miles were a killer. I did not want to go on but I knew that in the morning I would be glad. On the way up to Wayah Bald we were hiking along side a USForest Service Rd. and I knew that we were supposed to cross it at some point and I was hoping it was someone with trail magic. Sure enough when we came out onto the road a little further up the mountain a truck was stopped and in it was a thru-hiker from 2000, Red Neck offered us cold sodas, beer, and 4 pieces of pizza. There were 4 young hikers behind us, Wyatt, James, Freeze-dried, and Amanda that showed up soon after us. A couple of them took the beer and 3 pieces of pizza. Mike took one piece (they were all big pieces) and I had about half of it. Red Neck is from Columbus, Ohio, and works at an outfitter up there. When we finally got to Wayah Bald I guess he was up there passing out more trail magic to the same 4 young hikers and Snowman. On top of Wayah Bald is a stone fire tower. The views were outstanding. There was a drawing of all the mountains in all directions and many of them we had hiked up, over, and around. Our camping site was about another half mile away and when we got there we were beat! Phoenix took our water carrier and went to get water for us.Mike started setting up the tent and started boiling water for supper. I still do not have the knack of using the alcohol stove. We do have a wind screen now thanks to a hiker that was getting off the trail a few days ago. He was giving a lot of his stuff away to make his pack lighter.At the campsite was Phoenix, Red Hat, Hopeful Hiker, and a father and son, Dirty Harry and Snuggle Bunny, that are section hiking for 3 days.Hopeful Hiker has a weather radio and he has been giving the weather report to anyone he hikes with. Tonight he tells us that there are some bad storms coming tonight but that tomorrow it is not supposed to rain until evening. We all are in our tents by around 7pm because it is dark and getting cooler. Mike and I were the last to come into camp so a level spot was hard to find. Mike turned the tent so that our head is up-hill.Phoenix's tent is below us and he wants to make sure we are staked down so that when the rain comes we don't go sliding into his.I forgot to mention that we said goodbye to Jacky this morning at the motel. Hopeful's wife is picking her up after she takes Hopeful to the trail-head. We will miss her.Also, we met Wyatt, James, and Freeze-dried in the P.O. this morning. They reported that Amanda was in the ER with badly blistered toes. They gave her some antibiotic and released her. They were going to do lots of miles today so hope she does not get into more foot trouble. She has a trail name now--Bubble Toes.