Date: 2005-04-21
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

7:23 pm ¢ Rocky TopThere was no journal entry for yesterday due to this morning, but more on that later. For now, I¢ll just start from the top.Yesterday was the first day that I was acutely aware that I was walking a long distance with a heavy pack. Conditions were perfect for hiking ¢ cool temperatures, clear skies, and a ridgeline with views. However, I tended to notice the bugs, the rocks, and my overall sense of weariness. I had an uninspired lunch and moved on, finally noticing my general funk. I then realized that my mood was ridiculous ¢ I¢m out doing what I want to do and there¢s no place I¢d rather be. I let my mind wander and soon started to dream up ideas for next year¢s B&B Party video. My mood lifted and the miles began to slip by unnoticed. In fact, I pushed an extra two miles to make it to Double Spring Gap Shelter. I figured that I¢d shave a few miles off the next day¢s hike ¢ better to do 16.5 miles in good weather than to risk 16 on a day for which showers were predicted.I pitched my tarp again using the EZ Does It method. I was all set to start writing my journal when Professor tossed out the idea of hiking the 3 miles up to Clingman¢s Dome in time to catch the sunrise. The journal writing was out; a 3:45 am wake up call was in.Obviously, today started early. I packed up in an hour, only grabbing a granola bar and a Snickers bar to eat for a walking breakfast. I plodded up the mountain in darkness, slightly behind the main pack. At one point, I was on a ridge watching a small parade of headlamps climbing the hill in front of me. About a half mile from the top, two headlamps joined up from a side trail. I figured we¢d have some company at the top, but I figured wrong. Crazy Legs and Vapors made a wrong turn and backtracked.Clingman¢s dome is the highest east coast mountain, I think. At the very least it is the highest point on the AT (meaning that the rest is all downhill, right?). An observation tower is perched on the top, with a long winding concrete ramp leading to the circular lookout. The mono-rail-esque building looks quite out of place, but I guess it¢s par for the course for a mountain with a road leading to the top.The sunrise was nice, but not as spectacular as Sandakhou or even Blood Mountain. Still, it was worth the early rise and cold winds. Everyone else left once the sun announced its presence, but I lingered for a bit to cook up some oatmeal. I caught up to everyone else along the trail, and everyone was together again at Newfound Gap ¢ well, briefly, at least. Jay, Megan and Jay¢s Dad hitched into Gatlinburg; his dad was only around for the last five days or so and had to return to work (farewell, Jukebox). Jeff and Amy also hitched in for lunch. The rest of us took a long break and continued, trying to beat the rain the remaining 2.4 miles to the shelter.We beat the rain, but only because the skies unexpectedly cleared. It was a nice surprise, but I¢m bracing for the worst. They¢re calling for rain tomorrow and snow on Saturday. Sounds like fun.Jeff and Amy returned, happy from a satisfying lunch. They also hiked in two 12 packs of beer, and were thus well received by the ten or so hikers in the shelter. They proceeded to top themselves later on when they pulled out a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts after dinner for dessert. I¢ve never seen so many jaws drop in unison as two people catapulted themselves to Trail Gods.We¢ve got a decent crowd in the shelter, but still have room to spare. It¢s a nice shelter ¢ it even has a privy that was airlifted in two nights ago. It¢s a nice break from the dingy shelters I¢ve been staying near. I¢ll be in the shelter tonight, though ¢ too much chance of rain. There¢s no sign of Dandy tonight ¢ we¢re guessing he¢s hitched into Gatlinburg. It might also be the last night everyone is together, since Crazy legs is planning a twenty mile haul tomorrow while everyone else is only shooting for an easy thirteen. Time will tell if he does a zero at the hostel to wait on us.Quote of the day: ¢Step right up! See the amazing hiker. He¢ll eat anything edible you give him. Drop a Snickers nearby and watch the ensuing mayhem!¢Finally, I hiked over Rocky Top yesterday. I was sorely disappointed by the lack of moonshine stills.