Date: 2013-03-26
From: Nantahala Outdoor Centre

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light snow

Day Eighteen -NOC to Sassafrass Gap ShelterI did a really stupid thing today. Knowing that there is a storm warning untill 6pm tomorrow night and there is 8 inches of snow expected and 60mph winds and a tornado warning I still chose to leave the comforts of the NOC for the trail. At the time I just couldn't justify a third day there and I knew that a few others had left in the morning and if they can do it why couldn't I! It was lightly snowing when I left and it didn't seem that bad at all. I was actually happy that it wasn't hot because it was a long climb up for the first five miles (at least). Then it happened! I actually wished I wasn't hiking with Melkie, he rolled in shit again right on the trail! No one had buried it! I was so mad! Then the day got worse! It kept snowing and my feet were cold. I still wasn't wearing a lot of layers because I was sweating going up the mountains but my feet were freezing. At first the trail was gentle switchbacks and then it got steep and rocky. There was enough snow that I could hardly tell if I was still on the trail. It kept getting steeper an it was so disheartening! The trail disappeared an if it weren't for Melkie leading I might have got lost. I kept thinking I was near the top but they were false tops with another steeper hill in front of me. When I finally got to the top it was crazy windy and cold. I quickly put my layers on but there was no trail in sight and no blazes. There was just a ditch of drift that I thought might be the trail. Thank God it was and I followed the drifts to the shelter. The shelter was pretty full. I immediately started trying to clean up the dog and then set up my big extra tarp and a wind block on the open side. Someone said there was another tarp outside so we put that one up too and then someone donated their tarp so we are almost completely closed in from the wind! I was just setting up my hammock when M80, Trooper and Willow showed up. I was so happy to finally meet them! Last year while in the planning stages they helped me out so much with advise and even mailed me a planner to use. I'm so glad they caught up! It's only 5:30 now and we are all in our beds trying to keep warm. I'm shivering but I have the coldest spot as I'm hung in the table area of the shelter. North Star showed up and then someone else I haven't met yet (I'm in my hammock in the shelter so I can hear people talking but can't see them). Someone just said its 18*F in our tarped in shelter and its still light out! We are going to freeze tonight! Melkie is laying on me underneath the topquilt and I am still cold and my gear is only rated to 20* F. I'm a little worried about tomorrow too. If we get all the snow, there is no way we will be able to see the trail tomorrow. I hope the forecast was wrong. I remembered that I have another layer I could have put on but I don't want to get out of my hammock to get it but I think I will have to. Now I have absolutely everything on including a pair of nylons that I had cut up for snake skins for my tarp and a pair of shorts over my pants. I hope that works. I couldn't get all the mess off of the dog so he has my fleece belaclava on so that I can stay clean. He still smells! This is what I get for saying how clean he has been! I am going to try to sleep in this cold! Trouble "To try to be brave is to be brave." George MacDonald