Date: 2013-03-27
From: Allen Gap

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Halfway through the morning, Hoosier declared that this was his "favorite hiking day ever!". That is a significant statement when you realize how many trails and how many days Hoosier has hiked. The heavy snow was sticking on everything creating a beautiful scene. And the day got even better after that. We came to a place where the official Appalachian Trail actually gave us a choice between two routes. The side said, that in bad weather you could take the fork to a trail that skirted the exposed ridges, or you could climb and scramble over rocks to the exposed ledges of White Rock Cliffs. You know which way we chose. The trail did become a snow-covered boulder climb. I wondered how the dogs of thru-hikers could handle the many places where you had to climb directly up or down 4 to 5 feet at a time. I was told that the dogs handle areas like this better then people do. Hiking poles were a huge help in sections like this; practically a necessity. We had not heard trail talk about this section, nor had we read about it, so we weren't prepared for the grandness we saw on the narrow, rocky summit. We were looking out upon snow and hoar frost-covered mountains and forests. The sun came out and for a few minutes turned the whole scene dazzling white. Incredible!! Again I quote Hoosier, "This is the most awesome scene I have ever seen." Because the wind was calm, and the temperature was near 30 degrees, we could linger at the summit to try and take it all in. It was such a perfect moment, a very rare, once in a lifetime scene. We were glad to experience it with Joe-the-hiker.When we got to the shelter, it was full of young bucks that we knew to be strong hikers. We were surprised to hear them talking about how they had all thought it had been the hardest day of hiking so far on the A.T. They would have benefited from hiking with Hoosier. He was so giddy with excitement at all the beauty that his enthusiasm rubbed off on me, and our focus wasn't on the miles or toughness but on the incredible winter scene surrounding us. Hoosier and I did understand what they were talking about. All day we hiked in 12-18 inches of unpacked fresh snow. We weren't the first on the trail, but not many had gone before us. The rhododendrons were so heavy with snow and ice, that they drooping onto the trail and we had to crash through them. The terrain for much of the day was uphill and rugged. Hoosier and I managed only about 1.5 miles per hour. The young bucks did little better. Speed doesn't matter. I only mention it because at home, on flat land, a toddler can do 1.5 miles per hour. In today's conditions fit hikers work hard to do the same.So we didn't accomplish big miles today, but we did give a big effort. Most of all, Hoosier and I enjoyed the incredible experience and beauty. Since there was no room in the shelter, I had no choice but to find a flat spot with 15 inches of snow on it and put up my tent. No need for stakes and besides I didn't have long enough ones to reach solid ground. According to one hiker, the temperature was 25 degrees an hour or so ago, so I'm sure it will be at least in the low 20's tonight. This has turned into an unexpected winter adventure. The floor of my tent is cold as it sits directly on the snow. I do not carry a ground cloth. In order to have some layers between me and the snow, I have laid out my sleeping pad, put my rain gear on top of it, spread the the two garbage bags that I carry and use to protect my gear from getting wet on top of that, then stacked the bag my sleeping bag is packed in over that, and then laid my empty backpack on top of all that. I am now in my sleeping bag and will attempt to sleep curled up in a ball on top of my backpack. I have on most of the clothes that I brought with me, and what I am not wearing I will use as a sort of pillow. These are not fabulous conditions for writing in a journal but I enjoy recording and sharing my adventure and thoughts while they are still fresh so that I don't forget anything. I have taken a Tylenol PM and anticipate that I will sleep well. Good night.