Date: 2007-05-22
From: Vandeventer Campsite

To: Abingdon Gap
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

I tented near the Vandeventer Shelter last night. Maryland Edge was the only other hiker in for the night. He tends to be an early bird, so I asked him to kick my tent on his way by to get his bear bag. I wanted to get an early start since yesterday was a shorter day. He woke me around 6:15 and had gotten my bear bag down and left it outside my tent. Wow, a wake up call and room service (I need to camp near him more often)! The shelter sits on the edge of a mountain, with large rock overlooks behind it. It was nice to watch the sun come up there this morning. Last night it was neat to look out and see all the lights from distant towns. Watauga Lake is down below and many of the boats at the marina were lit up. The shelter was one of the best as far as location goes, and one of the worst as for mice. It was much warmer last night then it has been. I had to keep unzipping my sleeping bag, it was too hot to be in it and too cool to be out of it. It wont be long before I switch over to a thin bag liner and ship the sleeping bag home. It was in the 50's when I woke up this morning. I got on the trail about 7:40, before Edge left the shelter. Looks like I am the Web Walker. In the mornings I stow one of my trekking poles in my pack, this leaves a hand free for hiking with my coffee cup. I am having to wipe the webs off my cup before I can even take a sip. The first couple of miles so far have been gradual up and downs. The trail is supposed to flatten out a bit heading into Damascus.(I'll believe it when I see it.) It hasn't been too strenuous, but definitely not flat. The water source for the shelter last night was a half mile away. I knew that prior to reaching the shelter, so I carried enough water for coffee and oatmeal. I usually drink a liter of water with an electrolyte supplement before heading out for the day. But today I will have to wait until the next water source, which I think I will come to in about 4 miles. It is relaxing hiking along this morning listening to the birds. Some of the Rhododendrons in this area are in bloom. Someone was telling me that they only bloom for a few days, I don't know if that is true or not. HOLY SH..!!!! I have seen a lot of snakes on the trail, but this is the first time I have stepped on one. I FELT IT SLITHER ACROSS MY LEG!!, as it tried to get away. It is time to put the coffee cup away and get out the other trekking pole. At least with the poles, they hit the ground first before your feet, so most critters get out of the way before you get to them. I stopped for lunch at Iron Mtn Shelter. It has been a nice day so far, warm but not hot, and the terrain has been great. I just hiked up on an old chimney with an engraved stone monument that reads...UNCLE NICK GRIDSTAFF born 1851 died 1923 Lived Alone, Suffered Alone, Died Alone. I thought that was rather sad. The trail has been on ridgeline for the last few miles and has come down to the road crossing of TN91. There is a sign with a "you are here" map of the AT. It is pretty depressing to see how low I still am and how far I still have to go. After crossing the road the trail goes through an open hay field. The field has a gravel path about 2' wide right through the middle of it. As you pass an old barn and corral, the trail goes up a hill. On top of the hill sits a wooden bench with a gorgeous view out over the rolling hay fields with the mountain in the background. I am taking advantage of the bench and the view! TRAIL MAGIC!!!! Head-n-out and Tag-a-long, two thru-hikers from 06', had set up in Low Gap. They were in town from Michigan for Trail Days and were spending a few days hitting area trailheads providing trail magic. They cooked hotdogs and had chips, soda, cookies, and a cooler full of candy and snacks. I hung out and talked to them (and ate lots of food) for over an hour. They had lots of tips on places to hit along the trail north. I really enjoyed talking to them and wish I could have stayed longer, but it was getting late. I was planning on setting up camp shortly after the gap, but after the trail magic I was revived and continued on to do a 23 mile day! Thank you Head-n-out and Tag-a-long your generosity was greatly appreciated!! I am tenting near Abingdon Gap Shelter where there is a full house. I talked to a guy from Indiana who is section hiking with his son and his son's friend. Sounds like they are fairly new at this. I always enjoy talking to people just getting into backpacking. Edge is here tonight also, so I am going to see if he will wake me again. Although I am NOT leaving first!