Date: 2013-03-18
From: Beech Gap

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light snow

There was NO SUN all day! It was a case of deep fog...you could only see 70-80 yards in front of you. As I passed by Carter Gap Shelter at noon, there were already hikers in sleeping bags in the shelter planning to stay for the night! I stopped at Carter Gap Shelter for lunch. Saw a thru hiker come in that I recognized from Trail Journals.com photos whose name was "Chino"..he had completed a thru hike in 2005 and was doing it again. Get this..'Chino' said he was moving fast because he was running out of food...and planned to reach the Nantahala Outdoor Center in 2 days! Woah! I couldn't move that fast..it would take me 4-5 days to cover the same distance! His pack weight was 17.5 lbs with 3 days of food and a liter of water. No wonder he could move so fast! After a mail drop, my pack was weighing in at 42 lbs...I got tired thinking about it!I arrived at Betty Creek Gap about 4 pm or shortly thereafter. It was the first time since I started the AT that I had a relatively mild..easy walk. So, it was time to set up camp..and all the 'hiking buddies' were there together..TwoSocks, Tuesday, BearCat, DBCooper and myself...AND THEN..the bottom dropped out and the rain started pouring! We were all scrambling to gather up our cooking stoves and gear when the rain turned to HAIL! We ran to our tents and proceeded to finish meal preparations as best we could in the front portion of our tents..or hanging out the front of the tent while trying to stay dry.OK..I have to tell you..I am a very accomplished camper..and have become pretty good about unpacking/packing gear with as much finesse as possible. I have continued to try to find the best way to package, arrange, and access supplies to minimize confusion and enhance efficiency. However, I defy ANYONE to gracefully and effectively COOK IN A TENT! Particularly a one-man tent that is tight and low...SO now that you have the picture let me further describe the cooking process.My tent has a small vestibule..it allows me to take off my shoes without tracking dirt into the tent/sleeping bag..get in and out without bringing in as much of the weather, etc. So here I am with my small alcohol stove set up in the vestibule..protected from the rain..boiling my water to prepare my hot chocolate and my dehydrated meal (perhaps a little better than a MRE)..So, the water is boiling and I reach for the pot. Remember it is all very TIGHT in there! Yep..you probably guessed it...I knocked the water pot and alcohol stove over! The flame started lapping at the tent while I slapped at the flame with a cloth trying to keep it from burning up all my equipment. I managed to finally throw the alcohol stove out into the rain before it did too much damage..but it did burn a small hole (2 inch square) in the front bottom of the tent..DUCT TAPE fixed that! But here I was...no hot water = no food or drink...but my hiking buddies came through again..sharing their hot water!Hiking partner BearCat was carrying a tent that he had used for a long time with no problem.. but the tent decided that night to spring a bad leak! BearCat spent a miserable cold and wet night..and vowed to not go any further without purchasing a camping hammock with tarp and a down under quilt. Now, after reading this...you will really enjoy your own bed tonight!