Date: 2008-01-21
From: So. End of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC

To: Russell Field Shelter, GSMNP
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Today started at 6:30am. I woke up and took a shower, then packed up my stuff and got ready for my ride back to the Trail at Fontana Dam.I had extra time before I was meeting up with Wing-Heart for my ride, so I went downstairs and talked to EZ, Sly and Fishin' Fred while I drank some coffee.EZ and Sly were going on a road trip to AZ to do some hiking. I would have been jealous if I wasn't heading into the Smokies today. :-)I walked down the hill and met Wing-Heart and Pilgrim at 8am. Pilgrim left for home and Wing-Heart drove me to Fontana.We stopped at Fontana Village so I could show him what it was like.....and while we were there, we had breakfast. :-)I had a good three egg veggie omelet with rye toast, homefries and more coffee.Wing-Heart took me to the place where Chief picked me up the other day. I couldn't believe he made me get out of the car....it was cold! :-)Thanks Wing-Heart!!! :-)It was 9:50am when I started walking and it was 20 degrees and sunny out....a beautiful day for a walk!My pack was probably heavier than any pack I've carried in the last 5 years.I did carry a 40 pound pack 6 years ago on a long walk, but I had forgotten how it weighed me down. I am carrying about 7 or 8 days worth of food....just in case the road at Newfound Gap is closed when I get there.Normally I would only have 3 or 4 days, but I'm walking these low mileage days.I still can't believe Liteshoe would hide a rock in my pack. She knew I was climbing up to Shuckstack and beyond today. I thought she was my friend. :-(I had a 2,000 foot climb in the first 4 miles. I made that in 2 hours....quicker than I thought I would.It was chilly and windy, so I kept walking until I got to Birch Spring Campsite in another mile.I walked down to that and checked the spring. It was frozen and not running right at the spring, so I walked downhill some and found water running there.I drank some and filled up my water bottle, then sat down and ate lunch.I ate some Fritos, dried pineapple, diced peaches in light syrup and some nuts.There was about two inches of snow on the ground at this elevation.I had passed a father and daughter earlier in my climb. They had been out here for two days and were heading out today.They said they had a good time, but had been carrying frozen water in their bottles for a while.I got up to Doe Knob and took a picture of the sign at the Trail crossing. It was 6.4 miles to my destination for the day.The snow I walked on today was nice and crunchy. There were a few places that got direct sun where the snow was gone, but there were lots of places where it was about 3 inches deep.That snow made it extra beautiful out here today.I had climbed about 2,700 feet to Doe Knob, and then I descended 700 feet to Ekaneetlee Gap before climbing 700 feet again to get to Mollies Ridge Shelter.I stopped about 1 1/2 miles before the shelter and had some Thai chili tuna with crackers and finished it off with some Fritos.I walked on and started seeing lots of hog tracks in the snow.I stopped at Mollies Ridge Shelter and signed the register and used some smiley face stickers.It had been 11 days since the last person signed in there and that was Smileson 1-10-08.I came to a 15 foot piece of Trail that was solid ice. I was able to work my way around the top of it and walk on.Shortly after that, I started seeing lots of turkey tracks in the snow.I descended to Little Abrams Gap, and then climbed up to Russell Field Shelter.I dropped my pack at the shelter and walked down to the spring to get water for tonight and tomorrow morning.It has gotten very windy up here. I ate my dinner and decided to stay in the shelter.I don't remember the last time I stayed in a shelter, but I think it's been several years.No one else is here, the wind is whipping through the area and it's dark out now.My down air mat is making the wood floor feel soft. :-)I seem to have cell service in this area, but not data service, so I won't be able to send this in till I get on another tower that does have data.Another great day on the Appalachian Trail!....even though I carried a food heavy pack up a big hill. :-) (It will be a little lighter tomorrow.....)