Date: 2007-03-25
From: Locust Cove Campsite

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Last night was not as noisy as we had thought it would be. Just before 8:30 the leaders of the teens told them it was time to get into their tents and be quiet. Surprisingly, it then got very quiet, but I suspect they were tired from hiking and doing their chores about the camp. One thing we noticed was that they would go off TOWARD the water source with a towel and toilet paper when they should have been going to the other side of the gap for that business. We were a bit concerned about the quality of the water since there was a constant parade back and forth between their tents and the water. They were carrying dirty cook pots down to the water to clean them out but we don't know if they were emptying the dirty water back into the stream. We hoped not. When I went down to get water a group of the kids was standing in the shallow stream and pumping and filtering water from the dirty pool they were creating. Just above was the clean water from the end of a cut-off water hose someone had placed to create a stream from which to catch water. This morning we were packed up and about ready to hike out when they were all awakened by their leaders. We did have a rough night of sliding down feet first inside our tent to the lower end. But we survived and I doubt it will be the last time we have to camp on a slant.When we got into camp last night and found the campsite full we were told there was another one 1 mile north at Simp Gap. Whe we got there today we were glad we did not go on to this place because it was a small a dirty spot in the middle of the trail. The 2 hikers that did move on last evening had to go on further than Simp Gap to to find a suitable spot. I don't think I would have been up to even a mile.Today we had a tough day of straight ups and a long down into Stecoah Gap at NC 143. We decided to boil water for coffee and instant oatmeal since we didn't eat anything earlier. There was a nice picnic table and a spring nearby where we got more water. A couple stopped by and talked to us. The man (Rabbit) had hiked in 2000 and knew Tater from that year.We got to the shelter at about 4:30 and had plenty of time to cook, filter a lot of water, and rest. We were the only ones in the shelter-humans, that is. After it got dark we heard the mice. Toto kept shining his light around trying to find them. I had taken Benadryl because I have so any bites that I was itching terribly and so was pretty sleepy. He said, "Aren't they bothering you?" And I told him I was too sleepy and for him to use his earplugs so he couldn't hear them. At just before dark "Sixty", a female hiker came to the shelter and set up her tent. Earlier than that an older hiker named "Dr. John" came, sat for a few minutes and then moved on to a campsite 3 miles further. It has been humid and sunny today. I have a sunburn on my arms as well as bites all over my body. I'm not complaining because of the heat because I want this weather to hold until at least we get through the Smokies. On to Fontana Dam and the Lodge at Fontana Village for a hot shower and laundry. We don't smell very good in spite of washing with moist wipes every day. Also, good hot food awaits us, although Toto cooked up a wonderful concoction this evening using a garlic flavored chicken breast in a foil packet, a sour cream and chives flavored Pasta Sides, and Ramen Noodles, all thrown together. The best meal on the trail so far!!