Date: 2013-04-09
From: Stealth Camp, Footbridge & Stream

To: Birch Spring Gap, Campsite 113
Miles today: 10.5

Once again, the creek next to my campsite ensured that I rested in a nearly comatose state. I got up about 6:46 and got everything packed up easily. It's incredible how easy and pleasant it is to pack up a campsite without wind/rain/snow/ice/freezing temperatures to contend with. I ate the last of the granola and powdered milk, but even with most of my food gone, my pack still felt so heavy. I left out and enjoyed a peaceful downhill; some rocks, so steep parts, but overall an easy downward stroll. The sun basked the lake and adjacent mountains in a dazzling morning light, all the while leaving my side of the mountain and trees in a dark shadowy siloette. It almost seemed too perfect to be real, more like an overly ideal movie backdrop. There were a large variety of dainty spring flowers, freshly abloom. They too had been waiting patiently for the spring. Apparently, the biting black flies were all too eager, too. I had hoped we'd have at least a week or two, but nope. I was wrong. They and the gnats are out in clouds. The ssquirrels and chipmunks and birds have been active. But other than a large doe I saw yesterday, I haven't seem much in the way of larger wildlife. I emerged out onto the road at Fontana Dam Marina at 9:15, and I made a b-line for the water. There were a few boaters milling about, but no one seemed bothered by my presence. The edges of the lake were covered in a thick layer of pus-colored pollen. I walked out onto the floating pier, and stripped down to my undies. I knew the water would be cold, so I gave myself a pep-talk. I jumped in. Yep, it was cold (I found out later it was about 52 F). I lasted 15 seconds tops, but was a gloriously invigorating 15 seconds it was! I climbed back out, toweled off, and laid out on the wooded dock to let the sun dry me the rest of the way. I got dressed and walked back to the parking area and debated whether to call the shuttle or try to hitch-hike into Fontana Village. At that moment the shuttle pulled up and dropped off a couple of hikers. My problem solved itself. I climbed and and off we went. solved. We picked up Walmart and Bitter Goat, who I hadn't seen in several days and thought long-gone. The driver dropped us at the General store in Fontana Village, and we all started the waiting game. The post office didn't open for another couple of hours, so we milled about the store for resupply. It was pretty picked over, but there was still some good stuff to be had. I almost cried when I saw the pot of freshly brewed coffee. I had 4 cups. The storefront filled with familiar faces, all waiting for mail drops or coming off the trail or heading back on to the trail. I grabbed my mail drop and was exasperated to find 12 Snickers and 6 dog-biscuit bars. Really? What in the hell was I thinking. I'm going to try to make my resupply last to Hot Springs, which means about 8-9 days of fothat's a lot of weight. At 1, in the heat of the day, I caught a shuttle back out to the marina. I met three of the Warrior Hikers (Gary, The Machine, and Jabba). The day had gotten a lot hotter and the air was stagnant. I hiked across the dam, and took a self-portrait as I entered the Great Smokey Mountains National Park (HOT DAMN!) I passed the Warrior Hikers as I was entering the trail. I had planned to hike to the first shelter, but one of them warned me not to overexhert myself. Normally I'd pay little heed to such a statement, but something about it felt ominous, so for once in my pig-headed life I listened. I headed for the nearer campsite instead. I huffed and puffed and strained under my heavy pack. There was little to no shade. I stopped at a spring and took off my shirt and soaked it in the ice cold water. I did the same with my handkerchief and tied it around my neck to try to cool down. I heaved myself the extra distance to the Shuckstack tower, but once I got there I was too spent to go up. I took a picture from the ground and returned to the AT. When I got to the campsite, there was already a large group of people there. The GSMNP is very strict as to where you can stay (only at shelters and this one campsite), so we'll all be bunched together as we move through the park. I set up my tent on a tent pad on a ridiculously lopsided angle, should make for some interesting sleeping. Etch-a-sketch pitched next to me. I hung my TWO food bags (Jungle Juice and some others saw 4 bears, I had passed the area just a few minutes before). I'm trying to decide how "big" to go tomorrow. My options are: 10.8 Miles or 17.1 Miles. Tomorrow is supposedly the last good weather for a couple of days. What to do? What to do?