Date: 2010-04-06
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Another gorgeous day...although, knock on wood, a bit hot for Spring...it's been in the low/mid 80s. Lots of people got up early today so they could go into Franklin for a re-supply. We were about 4 miles or 2 hours from the shuttle pickup spot, so Ratman, Tumbler, Sid, and Fog hit the trail by 6:30. Adam and Budweiser hat guy were catching the shuttle at 11 as they were spending the night in Franklin anyway. That left just me, Conan, and Backwards for a full day of hiking. They were planning of doing 15 miles, but I thought I was only going to do about 12. In the hi-level plan I put together, I planned to do 8 today and 7 tomorrow...pretty short days now that I'm on the trail. Anyway, I ended up doing the whole 15 today. Actually made really good time in the morning/early afternoon despite the fact it was mainly uphill the entire way...maybe my legs are beginning to get used to this. There was the opportunity to go see the 2nd largest Poplar tree in the US, but it was 1/2 mile off the trail and I didn't think it was worth the extra mile...sorry, no picture. Met Snowman and Escargot (slow as a snail and she's cooked when they get to camp) walking the trail. Nice older couple in their 60s, so I walked/chatted with the for about 1/2 hour...Snowman's a funny guy. Caught up with Conan and Backwards at a water break and we found a nice picnic/campsite and had lunch. As I said, the day was going so nicely up to this point...we were making GREAT time and it was a gorgeous day out. Right after lunch, we had another big climb...it never seemed to end. Every corner you went around, you would see the trail going up until you couldn't see it any more. And the sun was beating down on us now...ok, maybe that didn't change, but it sure seemed like it. That was around 1,100 ft of elevation gain in 2 miles. Of course, we then had our first real downhill of the day...but I knew we still had to go up to Wayah Bald with was at the same elevation we were just at...so that is what I was thinking on each step down! So, over two miles, we went down 1,000 ft and then back up 1,000 ft. I caught up with Conan and Backwards during another water break and we basically got up to the top of Wayah Bald about the same time. It was worth the climb. There was a cool old stone fire tower you could climb to the top of and see in every direction. They also had the skyline outlines on each side of the tower that identified all the significant peaks/gaps/etc. so you could tell where we had been and where we were going. It's amazing to see how far we've come in just a few short days! And I need the outlines as I never know where I'm at and can't figure out which mountain we just came over...I know, this may be a problem in the coming months. When we got to the shelter, Zoe (who I met in Hiawassee) was there along with Bobcat who is a section hiker. Snickers and Daytripper also finally caught up to us after their extra day in Franklin...they said it was a good time on Saturday. Dryclean wasn't with them as he decided to hike with Sunshine for awhile. Everyone turned in early as most were going to do 17 miles to get to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)tomorrow. I'm only going to do 12 though...don't think I want to do a 15 and then a 17 mile day...I'm not as ambitious or young as the others. Cheers.