Date: 2013-03-26
From: Hot Springs

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.7

This morning it is still snowing, the mountains are still in the clouds, and it is even colder then yesterday. Chuck Norris, the operator of the Laughing Heart Hostel (where we are staying) offered to drive Hoosier and me to a spot that is 15 trail miles away. Then we can hike south bound back to the hostel. It didn't seem wise to plan to overnight in this weather, and we didn't want to take a zero day like many are doing, so we agreed to his plan. We still carried our backpacks including everything we would need to stay overnight in the woods if something bad or unexpected occurred. As we walked down the trail, Hoosier was singing winter wonderland songs. They were appropriate. It was BEAUTIFUL. In the higher elevations, the fresh snow was 6-10 inches deep, with some drifts up to a foot or more.Because we never went over 3,600 feet, and did not cross over any balds or rocky summits, we were protected from the worst of the weather. We enjoyed a terrific day of hiking. An added advantage of returning to Hot Springs in the late afternoon was seeing more hikers at the hostel and some friends we haven't seen in a week or more. We saw Slap, Leprechaun, Dragon, and Moxie who shared with us their harrowing experience earlier in the day on Max Patch Bald. They said the unimpeded winds were causing white-out conditions that made it almost impossible for them to follow the trail over the bald. The snow drifts were waist deep in places. The stronger hikers plowed through the drifts making a "path" of sorts, and then assisted the others who were dangerously close to their limits. As a group they realized they had to "bail out." When they came to a small unmarked dirt road they headed down it hoping to come upon a home or have a car pass by. They did find help and were able to get a hitch into Hot Springs. In a couple of days they'll catch a ride back to where they left the trail, but first they will take a zero day to regroup and recover. Hoosier and I are thankful that we had a much different experience at Max Patch Bald. I have no idea what is happening in the NCAA tournament, the World Baseball Classic, or politics. Thru-hikers, as a whole, seem really disinterested in the world and events happening off the trail. No one we have met watches the news, buys a paper, or talks about current events; unless it is something pertaining to their family back home. What everyone does talk about is the weather, where other hikers are, the upcoming trail terrain, etc. Talk is of frost bitten hikers, a missing hiker in the Smokies, and that Camaro and her dog also made it to Hot Springs today (incredible tenacity). Hot Springs is an official "Hiker-Friendly Trail Town". The Appalachian Trail comes steeply off the mountain as it enters town and then goes right down the sidewalk of the mile long Main Street before heading back up into the woods again. There are several hostels, a laundromat, a small grocery store that stocks items that hikers want, and several diners. While in town Hoosier and I ate two dinners and two breakfasts at the Smoky Mountain Diner. As soon as you sit down they bring you the largest glass of water I have ever been served at a restaurant. Perfect. Huge servings, really tasty food, friendly waitresses, and unbelievably low prices make this diner almost too good to be true. Hoosier and I observed two hikers who came in, ate their full for dinner, and then simply put their heads down on the table and fell asleep exhausted. No one disturbed them, or seemed upset by them, as they dozed for around a half an hour. This Town and Diner caters to hikers and are a part of the incredible Appalachian Trail linear community.