Date: 2012-03-24
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Got up at 6:00 today. To have an early breakfast before hitching a ride to Newfound Gap. When we went back to hotel to check out the girl was asleep in her chair. Checked out and weighed the packs 33 & 35 lbs. with food and water.Hiked out to the road to hitch a ride. Waited about 20 mins when we were picked up by an older gentleman, who was a section hiker. Make time made the comment it takes a hiker to pick up a hiker. I sat up in the front of the truck, Make time sat in the cab. I asked him if he had a trail name. He said it should either be Runny Nose, as his nose drips the whole time he is hiking or 2:30 as that is the time in the middle of the night he has a call of nature.He asked if we needed anything, but we are all set. Took about 30-35 mins to get to Newfound Gap. Arrived at 9:00. I headed to the restroom, while Maketime talked with the family looking for one of the missing hikers. On trail by 9:05. Had lunch about 2:00 at cutoff to Pecks Corner Shelter. Sat with Gedi and another hiker, & 2 girls hiking together for a week. We were all headed to Tri-Corner Shelter for the night. We head out shortly after them. We arrived at 5:00. When we arrived the 4 ahead of us were there, three other hikers and a Ridge Runner. Two more group were to arrive. One with 8 members and another with 4. Usually we like Ridge Runners, but this guy was an atagonist. Immediately told us we could not stay. So I asked if we could pitch a tent, as normally you are not allowed, unless the shelter is full. So we went out to look for a spot but they had closed off all of the tenting areas for revegetation. So we went back and asked where he suggested we stay. He suggested we stay where they hitch horses. Make time said " oh great, were the horsed do there business." Then he says yes, but I suggest you not stay there unless you are willing to pay $100.00 fine per person if a Ranger comes by. I know the rest of the hikers would of accommodated us by moving packs to the floor and sqeezing in two more hikers. So really his only suggestion was for us to hike another 8 miles to the next shelter. Make time also asked how come their were no trail journals in the shelters. The atagonist reply was because of through hikers like you that burn them for fires, so they have not been put out. Then he goes on to atagonize the non through hikers, by saying the reason their is no room is because non through hikers, pick the busiest season to use the shelters. We had been caught in the rain the last 1/2 hour, I was too cold to argue. As we left I heard him partially say "It's through hikers like them..." did not hear the rest and did not care to. It was such a beautiful hike today and I refuse to let a jerk like that ruin it. We hiked up to the hitching post and located a flat spot away from where the horses are tied. Shortly after we started pitching our tent the group of 8 came through. A nice surprise as one of the members was a trough hiker named Donner, that recognized Make time from their hike in 2010, and yells out his name. Make time was glad to see him, but said he would of not know it was him, as he was not scruffy enough, and had more of a calm about him. He went on his way as he was wet and cold also. Make time would of like to catch up more with Donner,but we were both too freezing to go down to the shelter, and because we did not want the atagonist to know where we camped. Changed into dry clothes, climbed into our sleeping bags and warmed up with hot chocolate, before having a hot dinner. Then went to sleep immediately.3/27/12 Additional thoughts!The Smoky Mt. National Park is a great place to spend time and enjoy.....but, as we passed through their were 2 separate incidence of missing hikers. I have to ask if they were pushed past their limits to make it to the next shelter?...Encountered bad weather?... or got off trail in the dark? We chose to break the rules as it was best for our safety! Safety should be everyones concern. I think the atagonist needs guidance, from like minded people such as Ed Garvey. Off my soap box! Walks Softly