Date: 2013-03-25
From: Mull's Inn

To: Mull's Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

My alarm went off at 7:30 a.m., but it was hard to roll over. Ten minutes later, I finally awoke and opened the door to check the weather. To my horror, it was SNOWING! The forecast had called for a slight chance of snow, but none of us believed it was going to happen. CookIN asked how it looked and I said not good. I then opened the door and let him see with his own eyes. Our original plan today had been to hike to Sassafras Gap for the night. Wind gusts are expected to be 20 to 30 miles per hour, that in combination with the snow made us reconsider. We are at 2000 feet, Unicoi Gap is at 3000 feet, and the mountaintops are at 4000 feet, so conditions are likely worse there. We decided to delay our departure a few hours in the hopes that the snow might stop. If it did and the day turned out to be decent, we could at least hike to Tray Mountain Shelter. Otherwise we'd have to take a zero day. We decided to grab breakfast from Hardees across the street and then watch the weather. As we were leaving the parking lot Owf called out to us. Their group didn't like the snow either and wanted to know what we were thinking. We told them our plans, and they said they were thinking about slackpacking from Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap and then coming back to town for the night, or perhaps taking a zero. We all agreed to keep each other posted with our eventual plans.After breakfast, CookIN and I lazed about the room watching The Weather Channel and Let's Make a Deal. If we had to take a zero, we decided to talk to other hikers to see if we could combine occupants to save a few bucks. When 11:30 rolled around, I ventured outside to check on the others. Owf reported they had decided to zero, which sealed the deal for me. I've heard hikers follow other hikers, and more and more that seems true. I emailed Morris and Stupid, gave them an update, and invited them to join us. I then informed the hotel we were spending another night, and CookIN and I paid for another night. We offered to vacuum the room since our muddy boots and gear really dirtied the place and we asked for extra towels.Since I had ALL day, I decided to stroll around town. The wind was stiff, but the snow was light. The town was FULL of hikers mulling around. I made my first stop the county library and they allowed me to use one of their computers. I took the opportunity to print some forms and take care of business, as well as type a bit in my journal. At the library I received a snow report from two section hikers. They said there was about 3 inches on the ground at Dicks Creek Gap but that it was snowier and windier up there. Needless to say we're all glad to be in town. Next I went to Ingles, the local grocery store. It¢s a great place to resupply, but I don¢t need anything since I¢ve got a mail drop two days down the trail. I did pick up some Jolly Ranchers since Noodles gave me one at Low Gap Shelter, and it was tasty.Back at the hotel, I got an email from Stupid saying they were now at Mull¢s. They had to zero at Low Gap because their gear had gotten wet in the rain. They reported 3 to 4 inches of snow and cold temps in the mountains. Unlike us, though, they managed to get a hitch on their first attempt! I spent a great deal of the remaining afternoon talking with Ryan and Connor about gear and life while drinking tasty beer. At dinnertime, CookIN, Ryan, Connor, Morris, Stupid, and I went back to Daniel¢s for the buffet. There I saw Robin from the Hiker Hostel. I was so pleased to see her I gave her a big hug! We caught up, and she told me her trail name was Violet, after the Willy Wonka character. We commiserated over the cold weather but agreed the adventure was amazing. I told her I had seen Burrito and The Professor the night before at Daniel¢s. I believe she is planning to zero tomorrow since she spent last night in the cold mountains. Hopefully we¢ll see each other again.After I grabbed my second plate, I ran into Tom, also from the Hiker Hostel. He said the trip has been tough, primarily because of the cold. He too may take a zero tomorrow, and I told him I¢m getting back on at Unicoi Gap.Back at the motel, most of the group gathered around Owf¢s room for an after-dinner chat and beer. I snapped a photo for posterity. Then CookIN and I hunkered down for the night in preparation for an early start tomorrow. We¢ll see how far we get in those snow-covered mountains.