Date: 2010-04-30
From: Nantahala Outdoor Ctr., Wesser, NC

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 28.0
Weather: clear sky

April 20, 2010Hiked--Zero DayMy birthday--a great day to take a zero. Breakfast with Pops, Mudbug, and Serinatina, then chilled out. Bought a nice rain jacket (Columbia--$90) and a fleece shirt/jacket ($30) at the outfitter in preparation for the Smokies. Thunder storms and cooler weather ahead. Wrote a few post cards, made a tuna/salmon/flatbread sandwich and a beer, took a nap, out to dinner with Tortoise. Ran into Clothes Line, Robin Hood, Rockafellar, etc. Back at camp the gang gathered to sing Happy Birthday and they had a big brownie for us. We hung around a while then went to bed.Wednesday, April 21, 2010Hiked 9.5 milesHeaded out at 8:15am. Great morning, cool with wonderful views, excellent at Nantahala Gorge Overlook. Hiked with Mudbug and met Trick. Hiked to Sassafras Gap Shelter for a break, lunch, and to chill--tended to feet. Stopped again at Cheoah Bald--beautiful overlook and view. Hung out there for a while--(photo)The last 3 miles went on forever. Camped with Mudbug, Sam, Zeb, Lady Slippers, Serinatina, McIver, and Joe. Nice campsite with water. Hung out, built a fire, then to bed.Thursday, April 22, 2010Hiked 11.6 milesCool morning, decent night's sleep. Grits, coffee and out. Lady Slippers shared several Starbuck coffees for later and Mudbug shared some nursing advise for my blistering and toenail digging feet. (Skip the initial laces next to your toes, open up and let's feet spread. Toenail digging into the side of toe--cut a V into the middle of your toenail and wash same area and feet with rubbing alcohol.) Met Chop Sticks on the trail--he was bitten by a Copperhead in Franklin. (Cut down to grassy area on way to grocery store and was bitten on the leg.) Got to the store and they called 911. Anti-venum, observation for 8 hours, and back on the trail.Met 30-30 and found out he shares my birthday. Had a party at NOC and heard that a guy had a birthday on my birthday but had not met him. He and about eight guys came through after dark (Rough Riders we called them) looking for a place to camp. No space so they moved on.Good hiking morning, left at 9:00am. The Best Bear Story--Mosey, Blood Mt.Mosey hung his food bag and later heard a noise and went to check it out. Got there and bag was gone. Thought it fell, but didn't see it. Saw a trail of scattered stuff and followed it. He caught up with the bear, clacked his hiking poles together and started acting and sounding like an ape (Sasquash). The bear stopped, dropped the food bag and Mosey picked it up and headed down the mountain--FAST!Really tough out of Stecoah Gap, 600 ft. up (a lot straight up). Stopped at vista, gap, and then at Brown Fork Gap Shelter. Hiked on and camped at Cable Gap Shelter. Large crowd-24+. Enjoyable dinner. Robin Hood and Rockerfellar were there, good to see them again. Campfire/socialize/to bed.Two Austrailians, Special Needs and Jarazic, added a bit of flare. After each town stop they would bring fresh meat to roast. Big campfire--one time an 8 lb. chicken and the next time a pork roast. They would hike 8-10 miles then cook a feast and invite others to join in.Friday, April 23, 2010Hiked 6.9 milesGreat hiking. Woke up to owls serenading each other. They woke up the entire camp at 6:45am. Broke camp and started out. Some climbs but mostly downhill. Hiked to Fontana Dam Hilton Shelter--sleeps 24 with shower. TVA dam.Hostel picked us up around 1:00pm. Dry county, but got beer at a private resort. Couldn't drink until we returned from town, 5-7pm. The Hike Inn Hotel rule--so folks wouldn't be intoxicated when in town for dinner.Headed into the Smokies tomorrow, rain or shine. I have an ingrown toenail, but otherwise doing okay.Notes from other hikers:Hi mom. I am having such a great time. Thanks for all your help. I love you.DanielleHey mom, Ground Hog says hello and he is doing fine. Saw him this morning at Fontana Dam.