Date: 2016-04-20
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

My day started today with a 3:00am wake up call from the lady tenting next to me snoring extremely load. It was so load it woke me up even though I was wearing ear plugs. I pushed my earplugs in my ear as far as I could and then went back to sleep. It really startled me because we are in major Bear territory and I thought it was a bear outside my tent at first. When I did finally get up it was just starting to get light. I wanted to get out of camp early. I went to make my breakfast drink and accidentally put my end of the day electrolyte drink in instead. There was nothing I could do so I drank it. I then make my breakfast drink and drank that too. I also ate some camp cereal and half a greenbelly bar. I left Double Springs Gap Shelter at 8:10 am. I was feeling really good and made my way up the Clingerman Dome. The hike up though the woods was so good. It reminded me of some of my hikes in the White Mountains. There were lots of Hemlocks and the smells were awesome. The landscape and views were awesome all day today. It started out cloudy but then became mostly sunny by noon time. After a quick visit to the Clingerman Dome observation deck I made great time as I headed towards Newfound Gap. I stopped at a parking area and sat with another hiker whos name eludes me. He was an older man who has already through hiked and was doing it again. I had to go up a steep incline and back down a steep decent to get to Newfound Gap. He was going to try to get a ride over to the Gap, but I want to do the whole trail so I marched into the woods and up the hill. I again made good time and made to the Gap by 1:00pm. There were tons of cars and tourist there and I quickly re entered the trail. It was a pretty long accent up out of the Gap and there were a lot of day hikers on the trail. I again flew up the hill and at one point I noticed another hiker coming up behind me. I picked up my pace even more and we both tore up the mountain. As we got to the top I stopped and he said loudly "Hey Dex!" it was Gigglles who I had met several times before I got off the trail for 5 days in Franklin. We talked for a few minutes and then both headed up for lunch at the top with a few other hikers. I really had a lot of energy and wondered if maybe it was because I had an electrolyte recovery drink in the morning. Maybe I will try that again and see if I have the same kind of day. The afternoon was more of the same and the weather was perfect. I ridge walked all afternoon with spectacular views. It was the best day of hiking I have had so far. My feet and legs are feeling better. I ran into Chuckles who I have now seen and talked to at least 6 times and Chicken Fry and another guy who's name is eluding me. I need to get better with names. I finally got to the Pecks Corner Shelter at 5:35pm. I had just completed my first 20 mile day, 20.6 to be exact and then .5 sideways miles down to the shelter. I was tired and I quickly found a spot and began the process of setting up my hammock. Then I went to the shelter and made my dinner and wouldn't you know who was there. It was Jen from Norway. We had both stayed at the same hostal the night before we started our thru hike expedition. We then hiked quite a bit together along with Elektra for the first few days. She said Elektra was a few days ahead now. It was so cool to talk and catch up with her. Another strange thing happened when I was going up to the Privy. This young lady named Vino had a little fire going and as I walked by it to use the privy a little bomb exploded in the middle of the fire. It scared the daylights out of me. She was making the fire so she could bake a potato. When I finished using the privy and walked back by she said it was her lighter that exploded. Apparently she left it too close to the fire. She did not have another lighter so I gave her the one I always keep on me. I have another one with my cook set so essentially it was an extra. She was really nice and I ate my dinner with her and Jen. After that I headed off to bed. I should sleep good today. Only a few more days and I will be out of the beautiful Smokies.