Date: 2006-04-11
From: Icewater Springs Shelter, Smokey Mtns

To: Cosby Knob Shelter, Smokey Mountains, TN.
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: clear sky

April 11th is a special personal day to me. 49,987 foot steps today (I'm slacking off) :-))) I woke up at 5:10 and laid in my sleeping bag until 5:30 before I stuck my stove out the door to start my coffee.I enjoyed my two fruit pies this morning...they always taste so good along with the Starbuck's that Jewels sent me. :-)))Thanks Jewels, that was fantastic trail magic!!! I was packed up and left at 7:30. It took me a little longer than usual this morning because I caught up on my journaling before I left. It was right around freezing this morning and the sun was coming up in a sky with no clouds...perfect hiking weather. :-))) I stopped at Charlies Bunion for a while and took some pictures and enjoyed the morning. I figured there would have been someone there already, since I didn't leave until 7:30, but I was breaking spider webs on the trail.I had Charlies Bunion all to myself today. I love this part of the Smokies. There is a lot of ridge walking and fantastic views all day long. Some of the ridges have steep drop-offs on each side of the narrow walkway and that adds to the hike. I finally ran into 3 hikers at 9:15. The second guy looked familiar, so I asked if he'd hiked before and he said yes, back in '03.His name was Fizz and we had met each other in N. Woodstock, NH on my '03 sobo hike.They were out hiking the Smokies this year. I walked by the side trail to Peck's Corner Shelter without stopping. I wasn't real sure how far I was going to walk today because I was finally getting a little pep back in my step, so I just kept moving and enjoying the best views in the south. I climbed over Mt Chapman at 6,417 feet high.I spent last night at 5,900 foot elevation and haven't been below a mile high yet today. I ran into Ribbit, Longhorn and Triscuit just before I got to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. They walked into the shelter while I was eating lunch and we all talked a while. Tricuit was getting off the trail right after the Smokies. I drank a litre of Gatorade and a litre a water, then headed on. I climbed up and over Guyot Spur at over 6,300 feet high, then kept walking mostly ridges the rest of the afternoon. There had been quite a few spots of ice left on the trail and more snow than I've seen yet on this trip. It's always in the shady spots and mostly above 6,000 feet high. I ran into a nobo by the name of Gut.I walked by him and headed down to Cosby Knob Shelter. I still wasn't sure if I was going to keep walking. I checked my guide and saw that if I stayed here tonight, I could get to Mtn Momma's just in time for some cheeseburgers tomorrow...the cheeseburgers won, I stayed here tonight. :-))) That wasn't the only reason...I also saw that I could spend two more nights on the trail and then walk into Hot Springs on Friday morning just in time for the huge breakfast at Smoky Mtn Diner. Ha!!! Food rules this hiker. :-))) It was an easy day's walk today. I got into the shelter at 3:30pm and cooked an early dinner.I always seem to get back in the groove of walking after 3 days back on the trail.I wasn't sure if that would happen this time since I spent most of the last month sitting in a recliner. Gut came in to the shelter and we talked for about 40 minutes, then I went and set up my tent and got in it real early so I can organize my coming days better. I'm trying to keep my days around 20 miles right now until I get back into good hiking shape. I feel comfortable with that mileage for now although the first two days were tougher.My mind kept telling me I was having a great time, but my body was getting tired.Today, my body agreed with my mind...we were having a great time again!! :-)))