Date: 2005-01-14
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to a very cold morning. Got on the trail around 9:30am.From the start, it was obvious that the wind had moderated and the rain was over. Also, that winter was back. As I climbed over Standing Indian Mountain, my hands began to freeze to my hiking poles - a subtle hint that it was time to put on the gloves. But after about 30 minutes, something wonderous happened - the sun came out. Even though it was still cold, the sun made all the difference in the world - and a very enjoyable hiking day.Around lunchtime, came up on the two Carter Gap Shelters. The old one on the left is still there. The newer one, on the right, is a pretty nice shelter - especially when the sun is radiating down on the ground around it. Hung up some clothes that had earlier refused to dry - the sun did the trick. Also checked the registry and relazed a bit.During the afternoon, I approached Albert Mountain. This Mountain actually has a ATC-sanctioned "blue-blazed" alternative trail for when the weather is bad. You have to scramble over enough rocks that when it rains, it becomes dangerous. When I got to the spot where the warning sign is at - it wasn't and someone must have removed it.The secret to climbing the rocks at Albert Mountain is to put your hiking poles (if you carry them) away. You will need both hands to pull yourself up. Once you are on top of Albert Mountain, you will see one of the last remaining firetowers in this area. You can climb up the steel staircase, but the top is locked shut. I took my camera and made it up to the first landing on the stairs. That is when the wind and cold said "enough" and I snapped some pictures and headed down.(BY THE WAY, I AM TYPING THIS AND OTHER RECENT JOURNAL ENTRIES ON THE COMPUTER AT THE FRANKLIN, NC LIBRARY. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY APPARENTLY HAVE THEIR USB PORT BLOCKED SO THAT PICTURES CANNOT BE UPLOADED. I WILL UPLOAD MY PICTURES AT A LATER LOCATION WHEN I CAN.)I noticed that a lot of the trail in this area becomes almost flooded whenever there is a significant rain. In some spots you have to watch your footing.Got into Big Spring Shelter around 5:30pm. I would have thought that (since it is a Friday) there might be some local hikers staying there. But no one else wanted to brave the cold night.Someone had left some trail magic at Big Spring Shelter - a plastic bag with a brand new pair of wool long johns and a card saying to take if you needed them. I left them for whomever might need them later. And I know for sure that some night a cold and wet hiker is going to find those long johns and be GREATFUL for the trial magic.The socks I had worn today were damp from my boot sweat and my other two pair of wool socks had not completely dried in the sun. Hung everything up and by morning they were surprisingly pretty dry. All the rest of my clothes were fine. My secret, I have learned, is to hike with as little clothes on as will keep me warm when exerting myself. Whenever I stop for a break or lunch, though, I have to put another layer on to retain the body heat I have generated.Had a quick dinner, privy break and climbed into my sleeping bag. My bag is a good quality, zero degree down bag. Without any doubt, it is my most valuable piece of gear. As long as I keep it dry, I know I will have a way and place to be warm at night. By 7:05pm the temperature was down to 37 degrees.Tomorrow's hike is to Siler Bald Shelter - about 13 miles. Shouldn't be too bad. On Sunday I'll hike 12 miles to Cold Spring Shelter. Then, on Monday, 11.5 miles to the NOC.