Date: 2010-04-07
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Set my alarm for a 7:20 wake-up. Was awake at 7:15 so I got up and started my checklist. Took vitamin; got dressed and intent was to go to the cafe for breakfast. With McDonald's 1/2 block away and not another one for some 600 miles, I opted for an Egg McMuffin. Had time so I just sat there for a few extra minutes. Then took my coffee back to the room and packed my side pocket items.At 8:02, phoned the NOC to see if I could reserve a hostel bunk since rain is on its way. After 4 @ 4 minute holds, I finally got through and yes, they do and yes, there is an opening. If it does rain Thursday the place will fill up quickly. It is nice to know I won't have to chance being in the rain all day or paying an extra $45 for a room.Shuttle on time at 8:45, two hikers on it from the Days Inn, five more piled in from the Sapphire, where we stayed, one more stop, picked up "Off Kilter," the first kilt hiker I've seen so far.Got to the trailhead and started to hike @ 9:15. Not a bad town start. Day started out at 50 degrees and ended again around 82-85. There was a nice breeze most of the day.A nice climb for the first 5 miles. Passed our first bald, Siler Bald. I passed large sections of devastated trees and branches, left overs from the severe winter. Stopped at Wayah Bald where there is an old, large stone tower. Had a quick snack, took some pictures and took off.Not 100 yards off the top, I hit a rock with my left foot. Rolled, fell, 2 loud snaps, extreme pain, and in the side brush I went. As I hit the ground, I knew I broke my ankle and my hike was over. Within seconds of hitting the brush, I knew that if I could not stand on it, that would be the end of my hike.I got myself up, heard the beeping of my camera trying to start. I put a bit of pressure on it and the pain was incredible, but I could stand on it. I checked if anything fell out of my pack, did not see anything, and started to limp down the trail. I knew that if I stopped, I was done. The pain was really bad. I was terrified in feeling it was broken. I kept going, out of fear, anger, not sure, but kept going.I thought, "If it was broken, I would not be able to walk at all." 5 1/2 miles to the shelter. At Burlington Gap, just 1.2 miles from the shelter, I hit trail magic. Just prior to that, I came up on a big guy, wearing overalls, carrying a chainsaw. Very intimidating if he wasn't wearing a trail mountainer shirt. His name was Apple.Anyway, at the Gap, Grits and Possum were cooking up burgers, chips, nuts, soda (beer if you wanted), cookies, the works. Ate 2 burgers, nuts, chips, and 2 sodas. Needed to get to the shelter, all up hill. Up hill is much better on my ankle. Downs kill it.Got to the shelter. Told my story and that's when Troll said, "Oh... is that why your sock is sticking out?" Funny, but I never looked at it, just did not want to know.But I pulled down my sock and my ankle was the size of an orange. Looked really bad.Then he went on to tell me that the Australian had broken her ankle and was held up in Franklin for 4-6 weeks and her ankle looked just like mine. All day he kept saying that I won't be able to walk on it in the morning.Took naproxin and ibuprofen. Will take my chance.Hillbilly and Andy came in the shelter. I stayed at the shelter before Dicks Creek Gap. They are out for a 70 mile section, ending at NOC. They were very funny. We joked about pretty much everything. Hillbilly's humor was off-center, much like mine, and we laughed a lot.Ben, the rott/shepherd I met going up the hills right after the NC border. Then came up McKinnly. Instant love, or lust, not sure. Ben got away and bolted down the path after McKinnly.Well, got a fire going, talked, laughed, went to bed.Tomorrow will tell about the foot.