Date: 2014-04-19
From: standing indian shhelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

I apologize for the typos on these entries. Now I am complete 7 days, so no more excuses. Actually tonight I am in a warm dry room, typing on a real keyboard. I will be more careful in the future and take more time using the tablet.Last night was another cold wet evening. I was in my tent by 8. This is becoming habit. It rained quite hard all night. Fortunately my tent worked well and kept me dry. The rain lightened up in the morning but persisted all day. I was packed up and out a little after 8. BTW - the sun does not rise untill after 7 here. Yogi left at the same time I did, but quickly decided he did not want to keep my pace. Hopefully I will see him up the trail. It has been fun hiking with him.The first order of the day was a climb up Standing Indian Mountain. The cool temps and light rain are actually great for hiking. It is just the nights that are hard. I was feeling great - no muscle problems, ankle is fine now. I covered good ground, nice trail, nothing too steep. North Carolina likes their switchbacks. Makes for longer, but more gradual climbs and descents. Only a handful of southbound section hikers out this morning. Seems like everyone was counting on the forecast calling for the rain to stop, so getting a late start. About 10 miles into the day Cruise shows up while I am eating a snack and getting water. He had been at the shelter last night. We hit it off right away. He is a mid 20's Arkansas kid that was working in Oil and Gas and also at a rock gym. He has been looking for someone to push him into longer miles. I told him I planned 19+ and he asked if he could tag along. We had a great afternoon together. Shortly after heading up we came to a forrest service road crossing. Two women get out of their car with bags of goodies. It included an apple, hard boiled eggs and candy. What a nice surprise. Thanks for the trail magic!! In mid afternoon we had our first real steep climb up Mt Albert. The steep section was quite short. On top is a fire tower. After that it was a series of gradual downs with a few ups.At 19.7 miles was Rock Gap. We called for a shuttle ride into Franklin. Sitting in the rain we cooled off quickly. It was great to see the van show up. Cruise and I are sharing a room tonight. Kind of cool how comfortable these arrangemants are, even thogh we have know each other for only a few hours. I texted ABear (also from Phoenix) once in town. He is also here, but in a different hotel. Cruise knows him as well, we should be on the same shuttle in the morning. ABear is also looking to extend his miles.Their is a hostel 18.4 miles in tomorrow that has the reputation of being one of the best on the trail. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes is served at 5:30, so we have our work cut out for us tomorrow to get there in time. Cruise wants to join me, not sure about ABear. The forecast say 0% chance of rain tomorrow, so we shall see.Everything is great - the weather has to improve, but that is part of the adventure. I feel good, meeting good hiking partners, all you can ask for.Thanks for reading. Check out AZontheAT.com for pictures. My son should be posting updates every Sunday.