Date: 2017-04-15
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Max Patch Bald
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I know that I have commented many times that I had just finished the best hiking day so far, well this one surpassed them all. A tough climb out of Standing Bear hostel started the morning. Passed the Groundhog Creek Shelter after 7 miles and that was way too early to stop. The next shelter was about 8 miles away so that's when you start thinking how to attack the day. 7 miles is too short, but 15 miles over very tough climbs can be a challenge. Several hikers mentioned they were going to try to reach Max Patch Bald and stealth camp on the peak. We had heard that Max Patch had unbelievable views and the weather was cooperating, so that became the plan. You have to be very cautious while hiking across balds. Balds are tops of mountains that are treeless with just grasses covering the ground. While beautiful and offering great views, you don't want to be hiking or camping on balds during any bad weather. You are totally exposed and the weather can change very quickly. Lightening can be especially dangerous. There is no clear understanding on how these balds came about. Many feel that Native Indians cleared them for some reason, but Native Indians were way too smart and knew to stay at lower elevations to build their villages. Plus they are much too large and expansive to be any type of ceremonial setting. Some historians feel that early settlers may have used the balds for cattle grazing, but again cattle weren't normally grazing on mountain tops. No one knows for sure how they were created, but I can attest it may be the most awe inspiring setting I have ever personally witnessed. After hiking over 250 miles in what would be defined as dense forest, you come to this high elevation grassy area with no trees, just a dirt footpath, and marked with wooden stakes showing the AT white blazes. You climb this treeless path to the very top and when you get there, you are rewarded with an amazing scene. Surrounded by mountains in every direction with unobstructed views as far as your eyes can see. Part of the beauty is the stark difference between what you have hiked through for over 24 days and what you are seeing before you. Took some great pics of the sunset that evening and since it was Easter the next morning, set my alarm to get up before sunrise. No one had a phone signal, but earlier in the day someone had checked and there was only a 10% chance of rain with light winds. The wind was brisk as we staked out our tents, but a fellow hiker assured us the wind would decrease once the sun went down. It got noticeably colder once the sun set. It's April 16th and I'm wearing long underwear, stocking cap, gloves, long socks, and my down jacket inside my 20 degree sleeping bag trying to stay warm. And of course the wind never decreased. It actually increased and gusted over 40 mph all night. It was hard to sleep with all the noise from the flapping tent. Once it gets dark you can't move, so you have to ride it out. Made it through the night with fitful sleep. Woke up Easter morning and did notice that our "weather expert" hiker friend got up early and left camp before we had a chance to pound his head!!