Date: 2018-03-21
From: Stealth Tent site a mile south of Max Patch/Mile 253.7

To: Garenflo Gap/Mile 267.9
Miles today: 14.2

I woke up to 4 or 5 inches of snow on the ground and covering my tent. Before the snow, we had rain and then sleet overnight, so my rain fly was covered in ice. I packed up and headed out (no motion or sound from the other two tents). The first "highlight" was Max Patch - among the more famous places on the AT.The weather was still challenging with strong winds and snow still falling. It was far from ideal weather to cross an open bald where then wind gusts got to almost 50 MPH, but I really had no where else to go so I forged ahead. It was stark, windy, and very old with heavy snow blowing horizontally. Visibility was only a few hundred feet so with my head down I pressed on, steeply at the end through 6 or 8 inches of snow and then following white-blazed posts, I made my way to and across the famous bald.After Max Patch, I gained the cover of trees, although the wind and snow continued at a significant pace. I was able to move relatively quickly to Roaring Fork Shelter, where I had planned to camp the night before. I saw Finnegan there as well as three spring college women heading southbound, eager to get to their cars at Max Patch. From Roaring Fork, the trail descending to Lemon Gap, 3 and a half miles away. That trail was covered with 8 inches of snow, but was a pleasant walk through rhododendron as well as along and crossing many streams that were never out of earshot.A steep climb up Walnut Mountain, made considerably harder by the accumulating snow, brought me to a shelter after a mile and a half climb. It was decision time for me. I had decided to make my way here and then, depending on the time, the progress I had made, the weather, and how I felt, I would stay at the Walnut Mountain Shelter for the night or I would move on.It was 1 - 1:30 pm. I couldn't fact lying in the shelter for 18 hours, especially with the wind seemingly whipping over the ridge upon which the 5-person shelter sat. As I snacked on GORP, I weighed my options - none of which were great: the next shelter was "a bridge too far" (10 miles, more than I thought I could possibly go), waiting in the shelter might make subsequent days more difficult (potentially stranding me in the woods), I would have to find a tenting site in 10 inches of snow.When I left the shelter at 1:30, I knew I would have to find a tent site that night, but I was eager to get off the cold windy ridge and get some miles closer to Hot Springs. I thought it would be more hospitable at lower elevations but to do that I had to get over Bluff Mountain.The descent from Walnut Mountain was relatively fast as the grade allowed me to move quickly - I was almost skiing down the trail. Then came the ascent of Bluff, which was tough enough without the wind, cold and snow. With almost a half a mile to go to the summit, the trail was obliterated by the blowing wind and accumulating drifts. As I tried to continue the climb, I was plowing through drifts on the trail at or above my knees. I knew that after I summited Bluff, I need to get to a lower elevation and find a tenting spot.I made good time descending, but the snow and wind continued. Accumulations were now around 10 inches. My guide suggested a couple of sites but I missed them or wasn't convinced they would be the best option. I was coming down the mountain but not finding a solution. Finally, I realized that I would come to a road. Perhaps there would be a reasonable tenting spot even if near the road. Then I thought I might be able to get a shuttle if I was at a road crossing.I got picked up by John the shuttle driver - a trail angel even though I was paying him.Suddenly an amazingly difficult and challenging (and nearly frightening) day concluded with a room at the Mountain Magnolia Inn.BHMHow to follow RTK:Blog:  http://www.rtkchallenge.com/bl...YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channe...Podcast:  http://returningtokatahdin.lib...Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rtk_...Please consider joining the "RTK AT Challenge":  https://fundraise.appalachiant...