Date: 2009-05-03
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: moderate rain

We woke up this morning to rain and it never let up the whole day. The trail was a mess, very difficult to move up and down because of all the slippery mud. We took off around 8:30am and moved slow today. We knew it was going to be a hard day and it turned out to be harder than we anticipated... Otter was slow moving this morning. He was hoping for a break in the rain to pack up his stuff. We said goodbye and started walking. Our hike was somewhat mild this morning and we made it in to Greasy Creek Gap quickly. From there we had the option of going to a hostel (the Greasy Creek Friendly) for a rest or pressing on toward the dreaded Roan Mtn. We've been hearing about Roan for two weeks and we committed to climb it today...only problem was that it would be the very last part of our hike- a 3 mile ascent. Well, the hostel was over a half mile down away from the trail and we couldn't decide so I made Berry draw sticks. We went to the Greasy Creek Friendly. Once we arrived we saw some folks we thought were way ahead. The hostel was great and everybody got sucked into staying there on account of the weather and a cozy enviornment. The Birds were there. Mockingbird has severe chin-splints and they have been there for 3 days. Also, Chachi has some knee problems. We also caught up to Chatter, Phantom Cupcake, Magma Orphan and Jumper Cables. It was great seeing everyone. We split a pint of ice-cream and the hour flew by so we went our way. We were told to watch for some slackpackers that stayed there last night and were doing a 10 mile slack southbound back into the hostel tonight (they were shuttled to the other side of Roan this morning). We did see Just Josh and BlueGrass, Flatlander was behind the but I think we missed him when we went off trail to a shelter for lunch. During lunch we visited with Gorganzola and Denali, they were the only ones there. They decided to call it a day a little early, get some rest and spread everything out to dry. We enjoyed getting to know them a little better.From there we pressed on to Hughes Gap, the bottom of the Roan ascent. We sat down and gave our feet a nice break before giving eachother a motivational speech. We committed not to stop short of the summit. It was pouring rain during most of the ascent, which took us nearly 2.5 hours. It was very difficult. We both agree it was one the longest and harest climgs we've done. The forrest thickens at the top half- very dark and mossy. Roots were everywhere and we'd have to take large 1-3ft high steps over roots and rocks. There was also a nice river flowing which was the trail. I feel so bad for Berry because during the ascent she started to feel a stomach bug. We went slow and rested as often as she needed. Needless to say, without going into too much detail, we had quite a few bathroom stops. Eventually we made it, exhausted, and with the sun already below the horizon. Now we are at the shelter on top of Roan (the highest shelter on the A.T.) and she is shivering, trying to get warm in her sleeping bag. The wind is howling ferociously, blowing freezing rain sideways against the walls of the shelter. Thankfully it is completely closed in- but dreadfully damp and musty, with water dripping from the roof top.If she doesn't feel better in the morning we'll call and make arrangements to get off the trail. I hope she's ok and not getting sick.