Date: 2012-04-06
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Roaring Fork Shelter. 15.1 milesI woke at 6:20. I thought I heard light rain on the roof so I stepped outside to see. It was drizzling. Since the weather forecast was for the rain to clear out today, I just went back to bed until 7. At 7 the drizzle seemed less and I packed up. When I left at 7:30 everything was wet but it wasn't raining. As I climbed Snowbird Mountain, I climbed into the clouds. The fog got very thick as I continued. On top of Snowbird is a nice grassy bald, but there was absolutely no view in the fog. I met Dakota Dan as I climbed. He, Snowbird and I walked together talking from there to Max Patch. When we reached Brown Gap, Apple was there giving out Trail Magic. Apple is a retired IBM engineer who now spends his time spreading Trail Magic. He said he has been at Brown Gap everyday for the last 7 days and plans to stay 3 more days. He provides Trail Magic to hikers on the AT, Florida Trail, Colorado Trail, and CDT. Now that's a generous guy. I had a soda, a sweet bun, and cookies while we talked. After leaving Dakota Dan and I hiked on to Max Patch. Max Patch is a wonderful place. It is a grassy bald with a great 360 degree view of all the mountains around us. I could see Clingman's Dome, now almost 50 miles back, as well as the mountains yet to come. I stayed there about 45 minutes and wanted to stay longer but there was a steady wind, and I was getting cold even though I had already pulled on my jacket. So I hiked on another 2 miles to the Roaring Fork Shelter. I reached the shelter about 4:30. The temperature is clearly dropping. While I was on Max Patch I checked the weather forecast. It had a low of 38 for Hot Springs and it is always colder in the mountains. I pulled on more clothes and did my evening chores. I shared the shelter with Dakota Dan, Einstein, GrandBob, Lime Green, Blue Fox, Dirty Girl, and a couple others whose names I didn't get. I am writing this from my toasty warm sleeping bag, where I will be comfortable regardless of the temperature. For my non AT hiker friends. I may not have explained the use of trail names. Most people who thru hike the AT or do a large section, usually take or are given a trail name. It may be based upon something that happens to them, a characteristic or almost anything. Most hikers introduce themselves using their trail name and you can know some people pretty well without ever knowing their real name. Also, sometimes people change their name because someone gives them a better name. For example, a week ago I met Maniac at NOC. His name comes from the fact that he is from Maine, not that he is crazy. He actually is a real nice guy. Anyway, while there he was telling me he lives about 50 miles north of Bangor Maine, about 50 miles short of the northern end of the AT. I suggested he should call himself Walking Home. He liked it, and has been using that name ever since. Similarly, there is a dad, Tom, here with his 2 sons, Matt, and Chris. They are from Hawaii and still do not have trail names Then today, they showed up at the Trail Magic and we were all talking. Somehow the Hawaii 5-0 TV show came up and I suggested they should be Hawaii 3-0, McGarrett (dad), Dan-O, and T????. I don't know if they like the names or if it will stick, but they might. Time will tell. When I see them again I'll have to see how they introduce themselves to new people.