Date: 2010-04-12
From: Mooney Gap

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

4/12/2010Mooney Gap to Deep GapYes I know we are still going backwards, but oh well you relize when you hike backwards, you meet all of the NOBO hikers we are surrounded by. We are of course NOBO hikers also. Hikers hiking northbound to Katahdin. When you are hiking against the "flow", everyone has to hike past you to get to their destination. Some names that stick out for me are: MOM, Superwomen (who's boyfriend Superman hiked the AT last year in 3 months), The Old Geezers (Eastwind and Loon), Crispy Critter, Bodacious, Madness and Mayheam, Shagman and Pilgrim, Parachute and Tripps, Jamie, Laura and Claire (a Sheltie, beautiful), you see these are very interestingly named people and we may not have met them otherwise. Well our journey for the day was 13.6 miles, still a long way even slackpacking. We travelled over such sights as, Big Spring Shelter, Carter Gap Shelters, Standing Indian Mountain and Shelter. The views looking over all the mountains were spectacular to say the least. We started about 9:30am and finished right about 5:00pm. Our legs we like jello but happy to be heading back to a warm clean hotel bed. 4/13/2010Wayah Gap (113.6) to Winding Stair GapEarly to bed early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise they say. Well it makes me a little grumpy and sleepy, but we were picked up at 7:00 am for our slackpack over to Wayah Gap. Starting uphill about 2 miles to Siler Bald was a steady grind but not overly exhausting like Sassafras or Tray. It took us about an hour to get to the bald. Oh my, fresh cut hay travelled up the mountain to a peak where a small orange tent was perched. Beautiful rolling up to the sky. We were all at an awe to see the green patch in the middle of a forest of stripped trees still not filled out from the harsh winter we had. The forest was clear, no underbrush all the way to the beautiful green grass. We stopped for a few minutes to take photos and talk about how beautiful Then on our way to the bottom, passing many hikers travelling north again, some who we met previously, Superwoman exclaimed, "Guess who did 25 miles yesterday!". Of course we knew after seeing her yesterday. We gave her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and Cheetos at Carter Gap Shelter. She is in her 20"s, cute blond spunky girl. Today, we gave up Half Left's apple. She was so excited! We told her maybe we will see you in Nantahalla, probably not, we don't even do 25 miles slackpacking. Many people do much more miles than us, 15 to 20, but it is way too much for us. Tomorrow we set out for Nantahalla which is a 3 day walk for us, so we will walk in on Friday. Maybe even do a little white water rafting. Then off to Fontana Dam, it is another 3 days walking. We will stay ot the Fontana Village Lodge, pick up maildrops and then hike out to begin the Smokey Mountains. Ron Haven who owns 3 motels, 2 in Franklin and 1 in Hiawassee (Hiawassee Inn) he recently purchased shuttles hikers around for free. He is an amazing man. He is a storyteller from way back, keeping the hikers on their toes, he tells of stories of his childhood, teens, highschool years and his Pro Wrestling career. Franklin was just appointed an official "Trail Town" but the Appalachian Trail Conservatory. It is by far, the friendliest town to hikers on the trail so far. I bet in the top 10 for the whole trail. Thanks Ron and Marciella Haven for your kindness and hospitality!!!Also thanks to our Slackpacker David, recommended by Ron. If you would like to be shuttled around he is your man. He can take you all over this side of the Appalachians.We are leaving soon to go to Wally World hopefully to copy photos so I can add them to journal. It will be late tonight, so check back.Thanks for following usSee you on the trail...