Date: 2014-03-26
From: Franklin, NC

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Ron Haven from Budget Inn (Franklin) got our loaded-down mini bus shuttle to the trail head at Winding Stair Gap at 10 A.M. He said he had to use 4 wheel drive in his Suburban last night because it was so icy at the gap. This morning the woods welcomed us with a blanket of white.The evening before, just after dusk, Kennedy had dashed back in the hostel and announced it was pouring snow. There had been frequent snow showers during the day but it melted soon due to the power of the spring sun. This time the sun had gone to sleep and the snow accumulated a bit. I could hear the other hikers coming out and talking excitedly about the snow. This snow along with a wind advisory for the mountains for gusts of 50 MPH and lows in teens is why I took another zero day. When we went out for breakfast at the First Baptist Church, the roads were okay but air was chilly. We could see snow on the mountains from town. I was almost as excited to get back on trail as when I started at Springer. I was heading out now with fewer anxieties and more anticipation. After we got out off bus and headed up the trail I started taking pictures of the snowy AT. Soon I was left alone as the 15 or 20 others headed up the trail. I would go just a few steps before taking another picture. I stopped on a foot bridge for a few minutes and just listened to the gurgling of the stream.Farther up on the ridge I stopped to view the scene of the snow covered forested hillside. I started out saying my prayers and came to the part where we say "O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things." I sensed In my heart that God is truly present and is filling all of this scene at which I was gazing. It reminded me that as a Chaplain I came to hospital rooms to convey a sense that God is with us. Now God was telling me afresh that He is with me out here in His creation.      The snow depth at the gap was about two inches but further up the ridge got up to six inches deep with nearly knee deep drifts in places. The people ahead of me broke the trail for me so I had a smooth cushioned path to walk that covering the small rocks and roots. The forest was so beautiful to walk through. I don't think the temperature rose above freezing, ranging from upper teens this morning and back down in the teens by time I reached camp. The south facing slopes had more melting from the rays of the sun. Thus the path throughout the day had a variety of surfaces: muddy, snowy, slushy, leafy and icy. I noticed that after the sun's rays moved on from an area, the slush refroze and became slippery. This confirmed my decision to do 15 miles today, because there would be more ice in the morning.      After a while, I came to an open meadow at the base of a long hill. The meadow extended straight up the hill a ways then turned slightly to the right before disappearing over the summit. It reminded me of a snow covered ski slope. This turned out to be Siler Bald. I took off my pack for a rest break and munched on a snack. Others rested here and went in but some hikers were ascending and descending the slope. I was of a mind to go on my way rather than take this 45 minute detour since I had opted for a record breaking 15 miles today. Just then a lone hiker returned from the Siler summit and started describing what he had seen. He was so excited about the awesome views that I began to re-think my decision to skip.       Do I take the blue pill and continue on with my routine hike or do I opt for the red pill, climb the hill and literally expand my horizons? [Bunkmates had been watching "the Matrix" last night before giving it up to go out to enjoy the mini blizzard.] I put my pack down and went to see for my self what the hiker had described. I thought: after all, this hike is not just to cover 2000 miles but to be immersed in the experience.It was an experience climbing the slope and looking back at the base as the people at the base seemingly grew tinier. At the same time, I was getting sneak peeks at the tops of the mountains beyond. After getting to the the top, I saw range after range of mountains in a 360 degree panorama. I shot some photos, then just stood basking in the glory of what I was seeing. I wondered if that last great range I was viewing could be the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Later in the day, I came across another bald called Wayah Bald with a fire tower constructed of stone. This time the trail ran right across the site so no detour was required to reach the summit. B-Man and hiking partner Jo Cool were taking a rest break at the site. I had met them on the trail as well as in Franklin where they were vacationing. [In the back of my mind I wondered why some of the people I met on vacation were choosing to use their time in such a rugged hike. But after all, Marcia, Paris and I had done that very same thing by spending 5 days on the trail in Virginia in 2002 with overloaded packs.] Jo Cool took my picture with the mountains and valley in the background.       I arrived at my destination of Cold Spring Shelter just before dusk after nine hours of hiking. I came around a bend in the trail and there it was smack on the trail. Rain Pants and his hiking partner had arrived just before me but opted to tent since there was only one sleeping bag space left in the shelter. Superfeet welcomed me to the spot which I gladly accepted. I have seen him and partner Barnacle on more days than anyone else. I met for the first time Silver Wolf, a retired man from the Atlanta area and a hiker from Blue Ridge, Ga. A few others tented in the area also and joined us for a spell of cave man television. I sat quietly on the log staring at the flames, listening to hiker tales. [Wild man with dog and old van] It takes a lot of effort to have shared experiences like this but is very satisfying in deed. This group really jelled through pure serendipity.       Earlier in the day, I had hiked a spell with Rain Pants and partner from MD. Since his dad trained thoroughbred horses and I live in the horse capital if the world, we had the commonalty of horse racing to talk about. Naturally for a hiker, the best was talk about the food at track kitchens.       The night was expected to be in the upper teens and everyone was making plans on how to best stay warm. Especially with underrated sleeping bags. I was prepared with my 15 degree Lumna bag. Shelter vs tent is a trade off because the tent is 5-10 degrees warmer than the shelter, but it takes more time to deal with set up and in this case getting it wet from snow.    I was so tired from the hike and my fingers were so cold, I waited until a later day to type today's journal. I must admit the combination of an extra days rest and the calories from a starchy pancake breakfast powered me through the day quite well. The Blood Mountain slack pack day was fantastic but this day is the tops so far.