Date: 2020-03-25
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Day 15 - Stecoah Gap to Cable Gap ShelterMile 150.6 to 159.2, 8.6 miles, 5:10 hiking time, 1.66 mphWas still drizzling on and off as I was setting up my tent the night before, but finally got it set up. It was difficult because I didn't want to tent in the fenced picnic area, but just outside of it next to the gated forest service road. The ground was really hard near the road, so had to keep shifting the tent so I could drive a stake into the ground.Checked radar and could see that a nasty storm would soon be passing through for the next few hours, but should be gone around 1 or 2 am. During the storm the wind blew one of the stakes holding one of trekking poles up, do I had to hold onto it to keep it upright so that the tent wouldn't collapse. On top of the storm, cars would pull into the parking area and hang out for a little while. Finally, the rain did stop around 2 am, so I got out and fixed that stake. It was still a bit windy, so that stake came out once more later in the night, but I was able to adjust the pole by angling it outwards and at least it stayed up. At most a few drizzles passed through so I wasn't worried about rain coming into the tent. In the morning, everything was a little damp from condensation, but only one small puddle on the downslope side of tent to mop up with camp towel. I don't think I got more than a few hours of sleep. Did not feel really well rested in the morning.Morning temp was 47.6 degrees. Really didn't feel like putting on cold, soaking wet clothes, so I hung all the wet stuff out to dry on the fence post as the temperature warmed up.Was talking to a guy walking his dog when Quest, who hiked trail in 2004, came over to talk. He asked what my trail name was so I told him "Harpo" because I play the harmonica. I played him my go-to song "Scotland the Brave" which he said he'd look up and try and play on his bluegrass instrument (mandolin maybe?). I'll have to lookup his trail journal when I get a chance. The guy walking his dog offered me ride to Robbinsville, but declined as I had all the supplies I needed to get to Fontana Dam.Then another guy (Doyi) showed up who was a shuttle driver, but again I declined a ride. But, he did give me his phone number in case I need a shuttle before I get out of this area. We maintained a good six foot "social distance" as he is a 70 year old guy with some risk of complications from coronavirus.With the nice breeze and the temp warming up into the fifties, my clothes dried out enough to move on. Latest start yet at 1:23 pm.Trail was pretty uneventful. Unfortunately, no good clearings for view of Smokies. It was just so nice to hike with the sun shining through most of the time. I did feel like I was dragging ass wondering what happened to all the energy I had the day before. Strange pains that came and went and the shin splints were particularly annoying. Well, hopefully an easy eight mile day and a good night's sleep will solve that.Arrived Cable Gap Shelter at 6:20. Only one here is a guy in a tent. Said "Hi." We didn't talk much. He's not a thru-hiker, just out in the woods for some days with his dog. First hiker I've seen since I left the NOC. Got the shelter all to myself, so I stayed in there. It was a very nice quiet night.Fortitudine VincimusHarpo