Date: 2004-04-22
From: Fontana Village, NC

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today started out to be a preparation and hike out day. Everyone made it into town, and we did our laundry and re-supply in Fontana Village. Of course, we were in no big hurry. I started getting very creative with my meal re-supply as well, being as how Fontana Village just doesn't cut it as a re-supply location. After a while, it began to register to all of us that we would have to make a decision to either hike soon, or take a zero at the Fontana Hilton Shelter. The day was growing late, and there was just no way I was going to be talked into camping at the first campsite in the Smokies. I remember the bear problems from last year, and just didn't want to take any chances. I made the suggestion that Duch and Cliff Dancer could go, and I would catch up the next day, but I guess the bear talk persuaded them to think a little more on the subject as well.Eventually, we decided on a zero, and headed off toward the Fontana Hilton. There were quite a few hikers at the Hilton, including (but not limited to) John, Dig Dug, Back Draft, Wilson, WAD, Ronnie, Heesoo, Indy and NightRider. Everyone started gathering up firewood for the ridiculously huge firepit and we were soon joined by TABA, a 2k3 alumni, and a few of his friends. Which also means TRAIL MAGIC! He brought up some beer and wine coolers for us, and talked a while about the trail. After a bit of fire-starting, drinking and trail talk, Duch, Cliff Dancer, Indy and I decided to take a walk and see if we could find a decent swimming hole at the lake. We did, and the boys all jumped in without any fear or trepidation. I, on the other hand, was a little more wary, especially when the cliff jumping started. Number one, the water was FREEZING! Number two, I'm just not one to jump off any cliffs into freezing water. In fact, I can't say I've ever jumped off any cliffs into water of any temperature. But, after a little coaxing from Duch and Cliff Dancer, I decided just to go for it....and OH MY GOD I've never submerged myself in such cold water. As soon as you hit the water, you gasp out of sheer shock, but then drink about a liter of water - - being as how you're now underwater when you're gasping. Then your body sort of just goes numb, and it's not quite so cold anymore. The boys were then proud of me, but not yet finished with their challenge. Next, it was their obvious duty to get me to jump off the cliff. Well, being as how it was the first cliff I would have ever jumped off of, I was a bit nervous. Add that to the rocks that were just below, or at least looked like they were just below, the cliff, and I was even more nervous. What if I get to the edge and slipped? What if I don't clear the rocks? It seemed like quite a distance to jump, and I just didn't know if I could make it. Duch and Cliff had the confidence in me, though, and I knew they wouldn't set me up for disaster. So, I finally got the nerve and jumped off! Afterward, I felt kind of silly for being so nervous about it, because it really was a piece of cake. Once we tired of the ritual of throwing ourselves into ice-cold water, we returned to the Hilton to dry off by the roaring fire. After a while, it was time to retire to the shelter, but TABA had one more adventure planned. He and his friends were night-hiking out to the first campground in the Smokies, and started trying to talk all of us into going with him. Well, we all know what I think about the first campground, so I declined, as did Cliff Dancer and Duch. Backdraft and Dig Dug decided to go for it though, and, along with a few others, said their goodbyes and headed off into the night. At first I was a bit annoyed with taking this zero, but in retrospect, the day was fun, and it gave me the peace of mind to make sure all preparations were in order for the Smokies. Now, off to sleep!