Date: 2008-01-30
From: Standing Bear Farm Hiker Hostel, Hartford, TN

To: Kale Gap, NC
Miles today: 21.3

I haven't sent in a journal entry in a couple days. I got to my tent site tonight and I was cold and started coughing when I lay down.I can't believe I was so chilled because it was only 25 degrees and I've been in much colder weather and was comfortable...so it must have to do with not feeling 100%.I just couldn't journal when I was trying to get warm, so I'm a day or 2 late with this entry. I have cell reception, but no data, so the pictures will have to be added in a day or two.I woke up at 5:30 this morning. I knew I wanted to get fairly close to Hot Springs, so I could get there tomorrow.I made some Starbucks and ate a banana, some diced peaches and two apple fritters for breakfast.I also had a mess to pack up because I took everything out yesterday to take pictures of all my gear for the gear section of my journal.I was ready for the walk today. My cold felt somewhat better.I thanked Curtis and Rockhound, settled up on my bill and started walking north at 7:45am.The rain passed by last night and the skies are nice and blue, it's a bit windy out and the temperature has dropped again....the ground is frozen solid and easy to walk on.I could hear the roar of the big trucks down below on I-40 for the first mile or two of the climb, but I couldn't see them.Caveman told me a good story about a grizzly bear encounter he had while hiking in BC last year.He came around a corner and saw a momma grizzly with 2 cubs.The momma was only 30 feet away and they both startled each other. Caveman started backing up and the momma charged, and then stopped about 15 feet from him.Wow...that would make you swallow your gum! :-)My first climb today was up Snowbird Mtn...about a 2,500 ft climb and 5 miles of steady uphill walking.What a difference a couple days make. I had trouble breathing then because of my cold and I had trouble with the climbs...even though there were only a few small climbs.I felt strong going up Snowbird and made the 5 climb in just 2 1/2 hours.I didn't have to stop for air. :-)I took a picture of the "spaceship" when I got to the summit, then turned around and took a picture of the Smokies. Very nice to see all the snow still in those higher elevations over there....only a trace here in the shady areas. :-)I could see Max Patch off in the distance...about 9 miles away. I'm heading there later today.I had to get out my windproof pull-over cap and gloves cause the wind made my ears and hands go numb. Other than that, it's a beautiful day!It was cold enough to cause ice chunks in my unprotected water bottle and the rhododendrons were in about a 20 degree curl.I descended about 1,400 feet to Deep Gap and walked by the sidetrail to Groundhog Creek Shelter without stopping.I found a log that was in the sun and out of the wind and sat down for lunch. I had some jerky, diced peaches, an avocado, nuts and some Fritos.I climbed for about 2 miles up to Hawk's Roost, then down to Brown Gap, then a fairly steep up out of Brown Gap.I got to Max Patch Rd and it felt cold. There were still patches of snow and ice, the ground was still frozen solid and the wind was blowing pretty hard.I climbed to the summit of Max Patch.This is an awesome place to cowboy camp on a mild night with no wind, but that's hard to get up here.I did take pictures in all directions of the fantastic 360 degree view, but didn't hang out long because of the cold wind.I got to a nice piped spring about a mile past the summit and drank half a liter and filled both water bottles for the night.I got to the new Roaring Fork Shelter and realized my hands were very cold when I had trouble signing the register.I used a couple smiley face stickers, got out my gloves again and walked on.I walked another few miles and passed where the old Roaring Fork Shelter used to be, then got to Lemon Gap.I climbed Walnut Mtn thinking I would find a nice flat spot for my tent, but there were too many greenbriars.I stopped at Walnut Mtn Shelter, but there wasn't a register, so I walked on.I found a good flat spot about a mile later at Kale Gap.I set up my tent on a bed of pine needles and crawled in.I planned on journaling like I always do when I get in my tent at night, but I was really feeling the cold, so I got in my sleeping bag and started warming up, but then I started coughing a lot.It seemed to take an hour or so before I felt completely warm again and I couldn't make myself journal...I just wanted to sleep.And sleep I did. :-)Another great day on the Appalachian Trail! :-)