Date: 2013-04-01
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: few clouds

-Day 22 - Stecoah Gap to Cable Gap Shelter - 8.5 miles Laying in my tent writing on top of my sleep pad. This thing makes sleeping a lot easier. There is about 19-20 people here. I felt like the packs were thinning out but instead they seem to have grown again. Perhaps the snow in the Smokies has made people pull up and slow down, or even they have been stuck just outside of them for the last couple days. I should enter the Smokies in the next day or two after Fontana Dam. I have about ten days worth of food to try and make it from here to Hot Springs and it is hanging from a tree (bear bagged) like it is suppose to be. However, it is still light outside, people are milling around, talking loudly and the vibe is just a little weird here. I am legitimately concerned about leaving that much food and my cook stove out there to be stolen. Yes, I am more concerned about the people and not the bears.Was a nice hike today. I had to scale 'Jacob's Ladder" in the morning right out of the gates, it was practically straight up, slow crawling, I passed Twix and Salsa a mother and daughter combo from Arizona, both attractive ladies who seem to have a wonderful relationship. Then I passed the German couple, Snail and Turtle who hiked 800 miles last year into Virginia and had to drop out due to health issues. They speak very little English and have a sweet disposition, they are making a go again at thru-hiking and not settling to start from where they left off. There are many different groups of people out here determined and driven to achieve a fantastic goal.There is the all cost group who want to drink and smoke, party at every shelter, socialize with everyone they meet, talk about their lives, why they are doing this and share themselves with everyone.The dreamers, the people that love the thought of a thru-hike. the belief that above all odds they will prevail and make it to the end. They understand there will be hardships, there will be crazy moments, beautiful moments, unbelievable moments, the moments when all is lost, equipment will fail, weather roars, situations unplanned will make themselves ever apparent. They will somehow through it all make it to kiss the sign at the top of Katahdin.The serious hiker group are the purist, they do everything right. Their tent is perfect, they have the latest gear, know the weather days in advance, know where to go, how fast to go, what to expect, have the perfect amount of food and pack weight. This group is very useful for information.The ultra-light group. They have all the latest ultra-light equipment. Their goal is as many miles a day as possible. the quicker you go the better. They compare pack weights and boast loudly about how far they went today and how fast they hike.The resume-builders are the ones that like the thought of a thru-hike as an achievement. Something to put on their resume of life. Yet they often do not take the time to appreciate the beautiful of it all, it is simply another notch on their belt.I'll likely expand on this list throughout my hike. There are many people that fall outside of these stereotypes, or are in deed a mix of them all. Whatever they are, bless them for the strength to try!