Date: 2011-04-17
From: Springer Mtn Parking Lot

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 107.5
Weather: clear sky

The SAN/ORD/ATL flight went off without a hitch, as did the shuttle to Hiker Hostel.Being lazy, I elected not to hike the nine mile approach trail, starting instead from the Springer Mountain parking lot. Walked back the .9 to the trailhead, and at 1010 on 4/13, commenced to hike north.Happy to have a bit of luck with the weather, clear skies and cool, with a bit of wind. great for hiking. Always perky the first day out, so moved right along. After 21.5 miles, stopped at 1945 and pitched the tent.4/14, woke up at my usual 5am, but it was pitch dark, I didn't check sunrise/sunset around here before leaving. Waited another hour before packing up, then on trail at 0700. Not as perky and already a bit sore. Hit Mountain Crossings at 1120, scarfed down a couple Moon Pies and a microwave sandwich, then back on trail. No, I did not have them review my pack. Excess food helped to create some perky, so bopped along good for awhile. Looked for private campsite, skipped by three with hikers, then found one. 23.5 miles at 1845.4/15 On the trail at 0645 with clouds and fog. Some wind and sprinkles if you are on one side of the mountain, quiet on the other. Very timely trail magic, a soda and some snacks at Unicoi Gap. Thank you Belmont Baptist Church. If I could grab a soda and a few hundred calories of sugar before every 20% graded climb, they would come a lot easier :-) Also more magic (carton of beer just before another steep climb) later. Can't say if the beer helped, but it didn't hurt!. Reached Dick's Creek Gap at 1645, but elected to skip Hiawassee, as it seemed I could stretch my food to Franklin. Camped a 1+ miles past DCG. Another 23+ miles. I got my tent up just as the rain started. And it didn't stop for another 10 hours. Plus fairly good wind at times. 4/16 Tent did OK in the storm. Leaks from one place where stretchy cord is sewn into the ridge line, used to hold the fly when it is rolled up. Drops of water that I had to periodically mop up. Also some rain splash. Packing up, it was still cloudy but no rain. Forgot start time. Eventually skies cleared, but very cool. Later, to my surprise, clouded up again and quite breezy. Very cold plus breeze = even colder. I should have put on more layers sooner. Eventually had on warm jacket and rain jacket, couldn't get zipper up on one because my finger tips were too numb from cold. Wanted to push farther, but too cold, needed to get into sleeping bag. Found a campsite, got the tent up, and climbed in. Couldn't believe how cold I was.4/17 Uncomfortable night. Sleeping bag plus four layers on top, two on bottom. Freezing temps plus continuing strong wind. Finally wind backed off around 5am. Not looking forward to digging a cat hole. Managed to defer that until after sunrise, thank god. Wearing the four layer top/two bottom while on the trail in the AM. Finally warmed up after about three hours. Short but steep climb up Albert Mountain and its fire tower, then mostly fast walking down to Winding Stair Gap. Arrived at 1600. After five minutes with thumb out, got ride into Franklin from lady in pickup truck, thank you! Staying at Microtel. Hiker rate is $54 single, not the $46 list in the AT guide. Laundry done, most resupply, chowed down on various junk, and went to bed too stuffed. Going back to the trail tomorrow afternoon.In a rush, that's it for now. Next planned stop is Gatlinburg, but that could change.