Date: 2018-04-17
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I¢ve said before that if you don¢t like the weather on the Appalachian Trail, just keep hiking. That certainly held true today. We woke up this morning to a couple inches of fresh snow and frigid temperatures. Once enough hikers departed to make room in the shelter, we made our way there to cook up some oatmeal. It was 10:15 by the time we finished breakfast and packed up our tent. Just as we started hiking, the clouds gave way to sunshine. A 1/2 mile down the trail our fingers and toes began to warm. About an hour into the hike the frozen drinking tubes of our hydration system thawed enough to let water through.The elevation today ranged from 4,100 to 3,400 feet and the ground was soft, making for easy walking. In fact, the first 8 miles of the trail were the easiest stretch we have had so far. Just what the doctor ordered! As we made our way over gentle hills and through some boggy areas walking on low foot bridges, the ice on the trees above melted away. We passed through a cluster of maple trees which still had snow clinging to their buds. With the help of the gusting wind, the snow high in the trees was cast aside, hurling slush bombs to the ground below. Which Way caught one on the edge of her cap, exploding between her glasses and the bridge of her nose. Fun! At the lower elevations the snow was completely melted. The trail crossed a country road and entered into a gorgeous pasture at Cross Mountain. The wide gravel covered path was actually marked handicap accessible. This made me think of something my brother-in-law, Jeff, asked me back in Robinsville. I guess he had a ¢Rails to Trails¢ image of the AT and asked ,¢Is the trail like 3 feet wide?¢ Yes, Jeff, it is. At least for this 1/2 mile it is.A little after 2PM we arrived at Double Springs Shelter, where we stopped to get water and eat lunch. Spamtown Rick showed up just as we were leaving.  The last 8 miles of the hike were a bit of a grind, as we hit a roller coaster of hills. Up 200 feet, down 150, up 100, down, 175... After a while it wore on us, especially after yesterday¢s hike. Much of the last several miles, we hiked up and down spurs, exposed to 30-40MPH wind gusts, making it a chilly 50 degrees.Exhausted from back to back long days, we arrived at Abingdon Gap Shelter shortly after 6PM, leaving us plenty of time to stretch, cook up a pasta dinner, and take care of hiker chores. To our surprise, there was no one in the shelter and only one person tented when we arrived. A few more tent campers showed up before dark. Where have all the hikers gone? Seriously, I have heard that the foul weather has created a lot of attrition this year. Perhaps someone reading this have more insight.This is our last shelter in Tennessee! Tomorrow we will get up early and hike to Damascus, VA. This minute, I am content to just be thawed out. Actually, we are both cozy and warm. Peace and Blessings - Next StepElevation Data:                  Weather:Ascent ~ 2,930                    Day ¢ 54 degrees / Very WindyDescent ~ 3,030                  Night ¢ 44 degrees / WindyGrade ~ 7.1Over the Horizon: Damascus, VA