Date: 2005-02-13
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, Tn
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Weather today - Steady rain/some wind/temps staying between 35 and 37 degrees.Well, I did a little better with today's start time - 11am. But not a really good sleep last night. Today is the kind of hiking weather day that just begs for long mileage - a lot of rain that just about guarantees you will be thoroughly wet (from either rain or perspiration) and ought to push as far as possible to somwhere (ANYWHERE) that is a dry destination.So, even though I'm pretty tired, I start with a pretty fast hiking pace (2 mph) given the snow on the ground. But a lot of the going is downhill - not good when trying to maintain good traction over the hidden rocks and frozen ground. But pushed on nevertheless. After a hour or so, I talked myself into the idea of going all the way to Erwin - and by then it did not matter how wet I got if I could reach a dry destination (i.e. motel or hostel) instead of stopping at a shelter for the night.I had figured that if I reached No Business Shelter by 3:30pm, I might just make Erwin by darkness (6:30pm). 3:30pm came and passed - no shelter in sight. But right around 3:45pm - there the shelter was. I spent about 5 minutes signing the register; quick snack; quick break. When I left the shelter, I was surprised to feel how cold my hands had become. While hiking your exertions really serve to keep your body warm. But stopping for just a few minutes can really drop your body temperature - worth keeping track of and adding additional clothing during the brief stop.From 3:30pm onward, I'm sure I picked my pace up to between 2.5 and 3 mph. That was about the best I could do without actually starting to run. And, there is indeed some elevation gain to deal with between the shelter and town - then you get the characteristic big drop in elevation right outside of the town approach.Made it to the Nolichucky River right at 6pm - great time. This is where the trail continues to the right and the town blue-blazes off to the left. Erwin is spread out - some places (Post Office, etc.) are 3.8 miles away from the trail. But there is a Holiday Inn Express only about a mile or so away. I made for the Holiday Inn. My plan - stay the night at the Holiday Inn and then head over to Miss Janet's tomorrow (Monday). Got to the Holiday Inn about 30 minutes later.Although I highly recommend staying at Miss Janet's in Erwin, the Holiday Inn is a nice place as an alternative. Their nightly rate of $59 is reduced to $49 for hikers - still not cheap. But they have some nice features - computer with high-speed internet in the lobby; hot spa outside; washer/dryer; convenience store and burger place right next door; all you can eat breakfast is included in the price; nice rooms (that tub bath was wonderful); and little extras like a free pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream for hikers (just ask them for it). So I settled in for the night; wasked and dried my clothes; and checked my email and TJ on the internet.I want to comment on a couple "Guestbook Entries" (on TJ) that were left on my page from "John Marshall" who has been thru-hiking as part of "Fal & Hercules." If you read John's guestbook entries, you will see he is accusing me of saying where he lived, without his permission, thus causing him to end his thru-hike. That is unadulterated garbage. I mentioned that John had told me he lives in Allen Gap, NC and that he has in the past handed out trail magic. If that is in any way "confidential" info - God helps us all. I surely do not have to have "written permission" from him (or anyone else) to repeat that on TJ. And then to hear from John the suggestion of "suing" me for giving that information out - what irrational bullsh**t. John - I'll say this - you have taught me a valuable lesson about those you meet on the trail. Be cautious. A valuable lesson for everyone. By the way, why did the "release" of info on where you live cause you to end your thru-hike? I fail to see the logic in that.------Okay - I'll get to the serious details of my past week's hike tomorrow. I'm also uploading more pictures.Happy hiking - and stay cool!!!!