Date: 2016-03-10
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Max Patch Summit
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Didn't start hiking today until 8:00. That's because today's hike will intentionally end with 13.6 miles when we arrive at Max Patch Summit. My son, David, and I hiked from Standing Bear Farm to Hot Springs in 2015 so today's hike has been one that I'd been looking forward to from the start of this thru-hike.Max Patch was cleared of all trees and bushes for cattle. What this means is that this mountain top is a very large bald (no offense Doug M.) that enables unobstructed views in every direction. It is a special place and I defy anyone who remembers The Sound of Music to be here and not think that Julie Andrews won't come running up the mountain side singing that famous song. So today's hike is more about getting to Max Patch to enjoy the sunset and a sunrise tomorrow morning.To get to Max Patch today required two substantial climbs, reminders that regardless of Clingmans Dome being the highest point on the AT, it is definitely not all downhill from that point on.In addition to the climbs was a blowdown that required the greatest walk around so far. Pictures taken today probably won't be able to be posted as quickly as this journal but I took a photo of this blowdown. I can't imagine how the terrain will withstand the volume of hikers coming through in a week or two as getting around it today was a challenge. Blowdowns were plentiful during the last day's hike in the Smokies. I'm thinking that some of the bigger ones should be named and included in the AT guides if they will not be removed. My nominations for two of yesterday's blowdowns would be "Castrator" and "Son of Castrator" because one wrong move with either of those two would be more than a little problematic. Renting tonight on Max Patch Summit sure sounded like a good idea this morning. Right now the winds are gusting so mightily that I hope my tent won't be blown down too.Water was a bit scarce today. Water didn't exist in locations identified in AWOL's guide as being reliable. Fortunately water did exist in a stream/creek that was .3 mile before the summit so I got my water there (picture coming). Once on Max Patch Summit this wonderful place's stunning scenery was everything I remembered. People that live nearby really have a special place here. I quickly met and spoke with Wyatt & Darcy, who were here with Flash, as they enjoyed the late afternoon and sunset. They are a nice couple from Asheville. It was fun to speak with them and get a glimpse of a couple enjoying this place. All the best to them. Like so many others you meet in the AT, you can't help but wish that you could follow-up with them in a few years to see how their lives are unfolding. "Maniac", a successful 2013 thru-hiker, and "Runner", who ended his thru-hike attempt in Massachusetts, stopped by to talk gear and AT. Again, the AT brings you to special places like this where people talk to each other easily instead of just passing by. Then there was the nice couple who brought over a soda and pretzels before leaving; they recognized Blues Brother and me as being thru-hikers and correctly assumed that we weren't carrying such items and would enjoy these treats.The scenery and sunset were good, not the best I've ever seen but certainly worth being here. In the distance was Mt. Cammerer. As Blues said, can you believe we hiked from there a day and a half ago? It really is hard to imagine. Thinking about Mt Cammerer Lookout Tower in a special way tonight because Subman & Suds are sleeping inside there tonight (Don't tell anybody because they know they aren't allowed to do such a thing and jokingly asked if I'd bail them out if they get caught.) I messaged back to tell them where Blues and I are tenting tonight so give us a wave. It's 9:30, a half hour later than an updated forecast indicated when it might rain. So far, so good. There are no bear cables or trees to hang a bear bag so Blues and I are tenting with food inside our tents. Bears like our food. So far, so good. I am here on Max Patch Summit with Blues Brother, very happy to have shared another full and enjoyable day hiking the AT. So far, so good.