Date: 2007-03-31
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning started out with the long climb up to Cheoah Bald. There was a light haze in the morning but no rain. I made it to the top of the bald fairly early but went ahead and dropped my pack for a few minutes to rest. Views were pretty good even with haze still rising from the valley below. The last time I was up here was with brother Bill (StewMan) and we had all of about 10 feet of visability.The rest of the morning was spent in a rollercoaster of ups and downs, some fairly steep. I passed a southbounder that said there was trail magic in Stecoah Gap - that put a little spring in my step.The drop into the gap was long, with the final set of switchbacks going on forever - I was hungry and ready for lunch and it seemed like the end stayed just out of reach.While trail magic is always nice, I didn't expect what was in the gap - this was most excellent Magic! Three '06-ers had tents and tables setup and were grilling cheeseburgers. This magic was complements of Bare Bear, Willow, Jelly Bean and Mummy Toes. Along with the cheeseburgers there was watermellon, bananas, apples, cookies, cokes and water - of which I availed myself of. Very much appreciated guys - thanks!The climb out of the gap was tough - made even more so since I was full of all the good magic. The temps were hitting in the high 70's so it was getting kind of hot while trudging uphill. Stopped at Brown Fork shelter - my original destination - and got water. The shelter is pretty old and there was no decent camping anywhere around the shelter so we headed off for the next place with water - Cody Gap, about 2.4 miles away. That was a long 2.4 miles but worth it, as it will make tomorrow's trek into Fontana a little easier. With having such a large lunch earlier I decided on a light supper - cup of boullion and a pack of tuna.Climbed in the tent around 8 and called Shanon then started working on this journal entry. One of things we talked about was having our niece - Savannah - getting these Pocketmail journal entries via email and updating my journal. That should help get them updated more frequently as Internet access is a scarce commodity out here. Thanks, Savannah - I appreciate your taking this on. Now I guess I will have to keep them updated as I go.I had started hearing something rustling around outside the tent and when something brushed against the side, I grabbed my flashlight and poked my head out - only to come almost face-to-face with Mr. Pepi la Phew! There is a pair of very scroungy-dirty skunks running around. Thankfully he didn't panic and and blast me or my tent - that, I am sure, would have earned me a new trailname! They ran around outside for awhile - hope they don't decide to gnaw their way in during the night - that would be a rude awakening!Tomorrow - Fontana Dam and the good folks at the Hike Inn - Nancy and Jeff. I've stayed there a couple of times - good folks and they run a good hostel - I recommend it.The hiking tomorrow shouldn't be too bad - the last couple of miles are a descent into the dam. The sky is pretty cloudy and I'd heard that rain was in the forecast - hope it holds off until I get down.