Date: 2018-03-29
From: Betty Creek Trail Campsite

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.2

I¢m not sure I can do justice to this day¢s events, particularly those of the latter part of the day.I awoke to a dry tent this morning, for only the third time on this adventure and was inspired to move quickly to break camp. A fast trip to the creek to filter a liter of water, then pack the tent, turn on the Garmin Explorer tracking device and I was on the trail by 9 a.m., headed for the first obstacle of the day, OMG! Albert Mountain.The initial approach to Albert was deceptively mild. Just before the last couple hundred feet of climb, the trail guidebook offers an easier, blue-blazed alternative to the official, white-blazed trail. While I¢m not a committed ¢purist¢ who will NEVER stray from the white blazes, I knew from my reading that this was a part of the trail I wanted to experience. It was truly a fun and challenging section of trail. Rather than the rock fields that we have picked our way across so far, this was a true boulder scramble, overcoming in some instances boulders the size of small cars. The reward? A panoramic view of God¢s creation from the base of the Albert Mountain fire tower.After making a couple of phone calls - gotta take advantage of the signal when you have one - I began my descent, this time in the form of a gentle footpath, almost as if the trail designers were apologizing for the earlier difficulties. Half a mile down the hill, I crossed the 100 mile mark! Now I only need to repeat this achievement 21 more times in order to complete the trail. :) The rest of the day went pretty much as planned and by 2:30, I found myself at Rock Gap Shelter, the supposed end of my 8.4 mile day. Another hiker was there ahead of me, massaging his trail-worn bare feet. He obviously had cell service since he was texting, so I asked him for a weather update. Rain, starting at dusk and continuing through tomorrow. No problem, I¢ll just stay in the shelter so I don¢t have to break camp in the rain. About then, a mouse with teeth the size of a beaver began gnawing on something between the wooden ceiling and tin roof of the shelter. Now I¢ll do a lot of things, but I¢m not at all interested in sleeping with vermin. Time to find a Plan B.I decided that with only 3.8 miles between me and Winding Stair Gap (WSG), the gateway to Franklin, NC, I would haul boogie there and try to get a hitch to a hotel or hostel, anywhere out of the rain. What was to have been a leisurely three hour trip the next day became a sub-two hour blast through the woods.  The whole purpose of my original plan to be at WSG at noon Friday was to meet my wife, Ann, and then travel together to Cashiers where we were to spend the weekend with our friends, Claude and Missy. About halfway through my trek, I hit upon a cell signal and idea at the same time. I quickly called Ann and asked her to check with Claude and Missy to see if they would be able to take mercy on a poor, bedraggled hiker by traveling 75 minutes to pick me up. Moments later, I lost cell coverage again as I powered onward. Garmin to the rescue! I soon had a satellite message from Ann that Claude and Missy were on their way!They arrived at WSG about fifteen minutes after I did, tossed my gear in the back of the truck and brought me home to a long, hot shower, wonderful meal and comfortable DRY bed. What can you say?  Friends.