Date: 2007-12-11
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

mi. 15.2sleep hosteldest. Roan High Knob Shelter day 152 I woke up today a little late. That pretty much set the tone for the morning. I wasn't really packed up at all. I also realized I needed to setup my maildrop to Hot Springs night. I need the map sections. I am also picking up the rest of my dehydrated meals. At 2oz each, I can afford to carry 10 into the Smoky's. I'm a little concerned about getting snowed in and don't want to run out of food. I also realized last night I gave my dad the address for Hot Springs instead of Erwin last night. I sent a text to my mom, hopefully they get it in time. If not I will just have to deal with my shoes for a couple extra days. I managed to be the last one ready to leave of course. I said until next time to Torque, who was still cooking breakfest. He might catch up at some point. He is only 1.5 days back after the little jump. Bob dropped us of at the trailhead right around 8:30. Thanks again Bob for the help. He is definitly a grea guy. I really enjoyed my stay there. It would be high on my list of places to stay if I need an unwhind from my hike. Todays hike was crazy. First off all it is December 11. You would think it would be cold. I was a little concerned a few days back after the last cold snap. Today it was crystal clear, just a few clouds in the destance to give a good contrast. It was also almost 70 most of the day. Even up high. Today is definitly going to go down as one of my favorite hiking days. There was a ton of climbing. Usually I just call them bumps, but today I'll elabrate more. It was that much. By the guide it was 4300 feet of elevation gain and 1700 feet lost. That is not taking into account all the little ups and downs not in the guide. I could get out the map and figure it, but I'm too lazy. I'm guessing it was at leat another 1000 feet gained and lost. Like I said crazy day. Helped out by the fact that I bought way too much food. There is a place to resupply a mile off the trail tomorrow. I should have planned on that, then 1 night from there to Erwin. But what's the fun in that. Today I got a chance to see the Overmountain shelter. It is an old Barn converted into a shelter. It sleeps something like 40 people. It is also the only shelter in TN with a privy. The bottem level is half open facing a fantasic view of a valley. Backpacker mag rated it the best valley view in the country. A great spot. Not so great for sleeping in the cold. The old barn isn't even close to wind resistant. Not an issue in the summer. It was part of an old farm that was sold to the forest service. The story goes a woman moved there from Mass, I think, after inhariting the place. She lived there for 1 winter and had enough and sold it. She must have been crazy. I would love to live in a place like that. From there it was more up. I wouldn't think I would have to worry about it now, but I had to make an effort to stay hydrated. For the second day in a row I was hiking shirtless and sweating up a storm. Today the trail went over the Humps. A series of balds. Spectacular views. I am really enjoying TN. Next to Maine, this might come in at my second favorite. You could see forever. I could have sat up there all day just looking around. We were concerned with the water situation at the shelter. It is the highest on the AT. We were thinking we were going to have to carry up water for 1.2 miles and 700 feet up to the shelter. Luckily we got to the gap to find someone who was out hiking around for a few days. He said there was plenty of water up there. He gave us some water too. Another great person met along the way. The hike up to the shelter was not bad at all. Plenty of switchbacks and a good grade. Bob Peoples and his crew does a great job on the trails around here. The shelter itself is an old fire wardons cabin. You can see the foundation for the old fire tower. Too bad yet another one that isn't there another. Tonight it was great to eat and drink up. Earlier today I hit the wall. I had to stop and fix something to eat. I managed to treat my water, cook, eat, clean up, repack, and start hiking in 25 minutes. I wasn't even trying to rush. I was enjoying the hike so much I wanted to keep going. At the shelter I had the rest of my tortaleeni and stuffing/mashed potatoe dinner, pudding, and coffee. Today was just one of those days. It is definitly going to be one I look back one when I get done. It's hard to put into words. The best way to put it would be to say that it was one of those days that makes me realize how great of a decison to hike was for me. Everything was clicking and lining up prefectly. It also makes me realize how much I want to continue to do long distance hiking. Another great day of it all working out in the end.