Date: 2015-05-01
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: US 321 Hampton, TN, Shook Branch Recreation Area
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Just as I predicted, it was absolute misery taking down the soggy tent in the morning. I was cold from the time I awoke, ate cold cereal in my tent, with part of me covered by the sleeping bag. Colder, as I packed away the sleeping bag and gear into my backpack. And downright painfully cold while removing metal stakes from the ground and breaking down the metal poles. I do have issues with cold hands...they are instantly a problem in wet, windy cold. Another hiker suggested putting on my gloves, but I wanted those to stay dry for the hours of hiking ahead of me. So I made do, got wet pieces into a trash bag to keep pack contents dry, then tried to thaw my fingers on my own warm skin under my shirt layers. As they thawed, they burned and throbbed. Note: this isn't a complaint section, it's meant to be descriptive...I don't want you thinking it's ALL a bed of roses on the Trail. It's hard work, and sometimes not fun, you just find a way to move past it and walk away down the Trail. In this case, that was best anyhow....once my pack was on, with double hand layers (cheap fleece gloves covered by home made mitts from an old water-resistant jacket) and an uphill stretch, I was warming up nicely. Since it had rained overnight, there was plenty of mist and fog, no views for a while, so I just hiked on. Miles later, I came into a meadow, and around another corner was this rustic barn....looks as though it would have been a cold night in there too, if anyone could have used it. I hiked through the Laurel Falls section, nearly broke my neck on the downhill rock steps, had difficulty following the Trail for a while (where are the white blazes????) along the river, never did see Laurel Fork Shelter....and then came to the base of Pond Flats, a misnomer if there ever was one: it's a substantial hill to ascend, about 1600 feet. I removed a few layers, had a snack, and got out my ipod: "slay this mountain" mode. And that I did! In fact, coming up over a rise just short of the top, I encountered a group of guys taking a breather. They saw me coming, and said they surmised we weren't at the top yet. I replied that I agreed, it was wishful thinking. One if them answered, "well its nothing you said, but we're moving on", and they proceeded to move in front of me, blocking the Trail like a solid wall. I followed, caboose-style, adjusting my pace down, and wondering if they thought I was pokey or something, so hadn't wanted me ahead. In any event, we soon came to a rocky stream crossing, where the water trailed off to the left, but the AT went to the right and up. Their leader missed the Trail, so I crossed and motored on ahead of them, soon leaving them far behind in the dust! I may look small, but the cover doesn't always represent what's in the book, so to speak!!! I enjoyed a sort-of hike/jog all the way down the other side: it's the best I can do away from my trail-running...possible only when the surface is mostly plain dirt with few rocks and roots to trip or slip on, and a lighter pack (coming into town with mostly empty food bag). I was soon at the park where my ride, Forgetmenot, had arranged to pick me up, 4 days earlier, at the hour of "around 3 o'clock, best guess". I texted her that I had arrived...the time was 2:56. Not bad, for a guesstimate While I waited for her to drive there, I spread out my dripping tent pieces on the picnic tables to dry. Later, I finished airing them at her house, along with my sleeping bag, liner, pillow, and several other items. It's always nice to start fresh on the next leg of the journey. I showered, we ate (me, all the way up to bedtime...her scale revealed I had dropped a bit of weight since the previous weekend), I did laundry, went for food resupply again, and caught up with messages. Soooo grateful to Forgetmenot and her husband, Darrel, for being such generous kind hosts. I can't say it enough times. Goodnight.