Date: 2010-04-28
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Sarver Cabin/ Sarver Hollow
Miles today: 22.0

Wednesday, April 28, 2010Fraser FirSection HikerAppalachian TrailGeorgia to MaineDay six ¢Year SixEntry One of the dayThose temperatures sure did drop last night. I awoke to some frost on my tent and actually used the good ole sleeping bag liner last night.As it would turn out, probably upper twenties last night.I hear eASY or EZ? stirring around with his son, Lightning Bolt. They thru-hiked a few years ago and are headed to Catawba and then onto Trail Days.I over-heard EZ talking to some south bound hiker as I was crawling out of my sleeping bag and getting dressed.They were talking about how unexpectedly cold it was this morning.The south bounder explained about a section of the PCT that he did last year and how, as he was setting up camp on top of Mt.Balden-Powell, that his sleeping bag blew off of the mountain and he spent one cold night shivering!! I can only imagine! Hah.Balden ¢Powell is above ten thousand feet well before Kennedy Meadows. Thankfully for this man, he got a new sleeping bag the next day in town.EZ and Lightning Bolt made pancakes while I broke down camp, signed in the shelter register and ate breakfast.I guess that they felt sorry for me because they cooked me a pancake. It was a very good pancake, I might add. What a great way to start the morning!These guys were from Long Island and Manhattan¢¦so, I had to ask.¢Yankees or Mets??¢EZ= Mets (from Long Island)Lightning Bolt=Yankees (from Manhattan)They shared different political ideologies as well, but it was all in good fun. Man, how awesome to see a son and his dad hiking away in the Appalachian Mountains!I thanked them for the breakfast and took off. I started late today and wanted to try and get to camp earlier tonight.The elevation profiles look pretty normal- so I anticipate moving at around two and a half miles per hour with lunch and dinner breaks.The wind was blowing harder than ever on top of the Bailey Mountain Ridge. I donned full winter gear.(Including gloves)I found good water (or what I believe to be good water) south of Wind Rock. My filter system broke yesterday, so fetching water is all emotional. In other words, what I perceive to be a safe water source could be good; it could be bad.The views from Wind Rock were simply outstanding. The gusts were pretty intense. It was very cold; thus I did not hang out very long. I can only imagine my youngest (Siler) being here. He is the adventurer and would try something crazy.I move onto Lone Pine Peak and into the Mountain Lake Wilderness. Mountain Lake is where the movie ¢Dirty Dancing¢ was filmed some time ago. The Mountain Lake Wilderness appears to be managed very well. Great information posted on signs as far as recreation in the immediate area.I stop for a late day lunch at War Spur Shelter. The temperatures have increased.Next, I start the arduous climb up Rocky Gap and onto Kelly Knob.A few south- bounders pass me around 3:00 p.m.These are the first hikers that I have seen on this beautiful day. One of the guys is in a hurry and is in no mood to chat.I move onto Kelly Knob and take tons of pictures.I opt not to climb out onto the furthest rock outcropping.I am alone and it would require a jump. No thanks, I want to finish this hike in one piece for sure.The cooler weather returns above three thousand feet. I wonder if all of this unfiltered water is going to make me sick?I cannot worry about it. My friends in Africa and other parts of the world die each day needlessly from poor drinking water. Just to think, we have the capability to end that problem right now¢¦.to be continued¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦.