Date: 2013-04-20
From: Silas bald shelter

To: Newfound gap
Miles today: 12.5

7.5 hours. 3am wakeup, literally freezing, condensation on rainfly is now ice. Pitch black outside. Fingers are freezing as I take down tent, painful. Super windy, careful so tent not blow away. I see a group of lights start climb up trail, timed so that sunrise can be seen. So cold, I put on shell over my fleece, then boots, insides are part frozen. Gloves a must too. Hawk and I start about 30 minutes after 1st group. Uphill climb, headlamps guide through pine trees. 5:20am reach double springs shelter. everyone asleep inside, many trekking poles there, shelter must be jam backed, we continue uphill. Still black out, can see moon & stars through tree tops. To the left can see twinkling orange & white lights from distant Towns below. Air still way cold, nose sniffling constantly. Yesterdays rain on pine trees turns into white ice crystal coating. Trail is frozen mud. 6:15am getting brighter. Air is still and cold, so quiet and peaceful. Later we get to top of hill thinking we made it early but then see a higher peak and Clingmans walkway 0.3 miles away. We hustle up there, drop packs at base of concrete walkway of the tower, hear voices at top but cannot see. Then a group runs down ramp screaming. First is Papa Smurf who runs down at me with arms open. Reluctantly I accept his hug. Next is Big Spoon who also gives me a hug. Rest of group comes down trying to keep warm by moving, waving arms, jogging in place, jumping jacks and yelling. They were the 1st group to leave camp and here waited at super cold, extremely windy summit for 30 or so minutes. Sun not up yet. Hawk & I walk up, see their packs there. Way windy, we stand on side of center post where wind partially blocked. After 1 minute, sun peaks over horizon. 1st group runs back up, hawk helps them snap photos. I take gloves off so i can press camera shutter, grasp camera so wind not blow it away. Finger tips frozen, hard to press buttons. Sun makes trees in front of it into silhouettes. Behind me rays shine off of white ice crystals coating pine trees. Everything cover in white, how magical! What a difference just the smallest bit of sun makes in the scenery. One by one everyone heads down the ramp to escape the frigid winds. I remain at the top, slowly circling the perimeter looking out in all directions, trying to take it all in. Finally the cold becomes too much and reluctantly spiral down the ramp. Race back down to base to escape cold wind, Chicklet, Coon, sea biscuit, and tall guy celebrating fact that we just saw a clear sunrise at Clingmans dome, highest point on Appalachian Trail, 6655 feet. Clingmans freakin Dome!! Was told later that this is somewhat rare considering there are only an average of 77 clear days at the dome. Most times it is foggy out overcast & rainy. Yes!!! What a blessing to get a clear sunrise at the dome, really makes me appreciate the last couple of rainy cold days climbing up to this point.    Slippery descent over frozen logs, wood and puddles all the way into Newfound gap. Trail angel Godspeed waits behind trunk to give us sandwiches, chips, drink, & brownies. At-miracle.com . Noahs Ark widow ministry (Mark 9:2) from Ethridge, TN also there with vegan friendly fruits and snacks. Thank you! TN/NC border sign is here. Not realizing exactly when I crossed into TN, I kiss a pine tree here to continue the tradition. We sit in the grass and lawn chairs, talk with the trail angels, eat, drink and enjoy the refreshing warm direct sunlight that has eluded us last few days. Coon's dad (from Asheville) drives a group of us into Gatlinburg, way awesome! Cab is full so Hawk and I sit in the bed of the truck and hold on tight as we curve our way down the zig zagging road from the gap into town. Pickup resupply box at NOC outfitter. Bum spoon, Jackalope, Icarus in parking lot. Grand Prix hotel, basic, low price, fun spot, we see alot of familiar faces staying here too. I dry tent on balcony, Hiker Just is on adjacent balcony and introduces himself. Hawk and I walk back to main drag, German Thomas at NOC, also pink lady and sandy from Fayetteville. Hawk, Thomas &I get Mayfield ice cream at one of many stands. Down street is Old Smokey Tennessee Moonshine Holler. Do free tasting here! Apple pie & blackberry my fav. Across street odd Davy Crockett TN Whiskey store, Do free tasting here! White oak barrel and charcoal filtering make it TN whiskey. Pecan, caramel, chocolate, cinnamon all good. Smokey mountain brewery pub. Tin Man & Smiles leaving as we arrive. Upstairs Dingo, Diesel, cat walker say hello and tell me what is good to eat. Cat Lady and boyfriend with motorcycle with skull & antler sidecar for his dog finish eating 2 tables over. We chat for a few minutes. Hawk, German Thomas and I order. I get sampler beers of Appalachian trail pale ale, black bear ale, and cherokee ale, and old smokey burger bacon, smoked cheddar, bbq sauce and Mac n cheese. Fantastic! Head back towards the hotel, its been a long fun memorable day.