Date: 2015-04-20
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

16.3, Lamberts Meadow Shelter, 4/20As we finished our hike today Maverick said, "This was a good hike." He was right. We started the morning watching everyone else in the hostel scurry about to get going for big days. We had a normal day ahead with our plan to do 16 miles. We had a relaxing breakfast, repacked and walked out of the hostel at 9 am. Our hike took us six miles to the highway parking area at the base of the climb to McAfee Knob. McAfee Knob is one of the most photographed ledges of the AT, and one of the grandest overlooks as well. Our trail to that point was very wet, and the trail beyond was no better. We joked that we were actually walking in rivers as the 3 inches of rain that fell yesterday was running everywhere. After walking all day yesterday in wet socks, my feet were soaked after twenty minutes. The weather forecast today was better, but not rain free. The morning was to be sunny with highs reaching upper 70's by mid afternoon then thunderstorms were expected to form and last through the evening. That is a pretty good description of our day. We hiked in humid heat for six miles, then a slight breeze set in as we started the climb to McAfee. We reached McAfee early afternoon, took the pictures we wanted and planned to have our lunch. Unfortunately the black flies had a different idea. With the recent warmth the hatch of flies is abundant and they love sweaty hikers in the sun. We put bandanas over our ears at one point so we could keep them at bay while hiking. We left McAfee around 2pm, and stopped into Campbell Shelter to try and have some lunch. While we were there the thunderstorm developed and let loose. We ducked into the shelter and watched it rain and hail for about 40 minutes. Frodo and his hiking buddy joined us, and planned to stay for the night. Hakuna Matata paused a moment during the storm, and hiked on. The storm let up and we had cell service to check radar, and discovered the system was developing largely south of us. As it let up we decided go move on to our original destination over Tinker Cliffs, into Lamberts Meadow Shelter. The rain was spotty until we reached the cliffs at he crest of Tinkers Mountain. Then a new, milder storm let loose with wind and cold rain. We hiked on and as we left the ridge towards the shelter the weather became pleasant, the sun shone through for a bit, and all looked fine. We arrived at the shelter and joined Hakuna and a southbound hiker from England. Water, chores and dinner and all are heading to sleep at 9:00. Tomorrow we will hike 9 miles into Daleville for laundry, meals and a resupply. Maverick plans to take a zero and I am not sure what I will do. A few days ago I thoight a zero was in order, but he weather looks good ahead, and I am feeling pretty good. I do have one small issue with my right foot. Wet hiking has produced a hot spot on my small toe. I will pad it tomorrow and see how it is in Daleville. In the continuing saga of emerging spring I added photos of a snake, a turtle, a millipede, and many flowers to my collection. The trees are also beginning to green up as their leaves slowly emerge so it is beginning to look more like a forest. Well the rain has returned in he form of a thunderstorm so I am going to enjoy he lightening show, and fall asleep to the sound of rain on the shelter roof.Good night...well, you know.Silverback