Date: 2011-09-17
From: Rock Gap

To: Siler Bald 5216'
Miles today: 7.8

Fraser Fir Section HikerGeorgia to Maine Year Eight- ¢re-section¢Rock Gap to Siler Bald 7.8 milesSaturday, September 17th, 2011 Entry one of three.As I had mentioned in earlier entries this week: Allen, John and myself are out for a little walk from Rock Gap near Standing Indian Campground (near the old Rainbow Springs Campground and Cottage area) to Wesser.I got home from work last night around 11:00 pm and I guess I decided it was time to pack for this walk. 8--)It was around 3:00 am before I finally got to sleep.I am trying to be intentional in this hike in not using a stove. Or in other words, going stove less. I had been reading Stumpknocker¢s 2008 northbound journal and took note of some of the things that he brings along his hikes.I ran into Stumpknocker in Virginia just south of Punchbowl and noticed how small of a spring/summer time load he was carrying.It made me think about hauling around this stove and pans and all that heavy dehydrated food.Suppose I am trying to make my hike more intentional about spending more time looking at wildlife and less time using a stove and such. Well, I decided to bring two avocadoes, two packs of guacamole powder and beef jerky, chicken nugget jerky and corn tortillas. Ummm..ummm good. Hard pretzels, drink mix and just a couple of granola bars! 8-)After finally getting west of Franklin, we got the car parked and took pictures of the sign at Rock Gap. It was after four pm and I know that these guys are ready.When I hiked or actually ran from Rock Gap to Siler Bald back in May, I did it in just over two hours. Tonight, will obviously be different.In fact, back in May, I did not get here until 7:30 p.m. I had all of my ¢junk¢ layed out on the grass and this man pulls up to Rock Gap.¢How was your hike?¢¢Oh, I said, I have not started yet¢ as I put my head lamp on and grabbed my ten pounds worth of ¢stuff¢Rock Gap:*I have done trail magic here. (met Heald with his 13 year old dog and Solace as well as others headed to Maine) -handed out cokes on a balmy 30 F afternoon!*Bryson at four years, Siler at eighteen months, myself and Stephanie have hiked down to the Wasilik Poplar.*We have hung out at Rock Gap Shelter, camped at Standing Indian Campground numerous times.* I have camped at Rainbow Springs at least twice. Stephanie was pregnant in the early November Fall with Bryson on one of the trips. (late 2004) *On a previous trip to Rainbow Springs we chased fireflies and had plenty of room in the tent for Winzer. (Before our precious children entered the world.)*I have "stealth camped" right here at Rock Gap.This place is my second home. Or, is this my first home?Anyway, my mind races at a million miles per hour, so I put on my pack.Actually it is Stephanie¢s pack. I was divided on wearing this pack or bringing my North Face day pack.As it turns out, I carried a stove for my compadres and some additional cold weather gear that I did not don in the Three Ridges Wilderness three months ago. I am over twenty pounds for this three day walk to Wesser.If you notice, I have kept it at Wesser. I have not mentioned the N.O.C. on purpose.I will explain later.After we climb out of Wallace Gap and I huff and puff to the natural spring:ummm- no filter needed. we flatten out and have some great conversation as we watch the sun start to slowly set.On the way down to Winding Stair Gap, we take a couple ¢sneak peeks¢ at Franklin and John hears a cub scurry down a hardwood.I take the lead for a moment and we talk loud to let the mother bear know of our location. No surprises needed 8--)).!!So we start this section off with a black bear cub! In almost 300 miles in Virginia this summer: I only briefly saw one bear. I guess I was moving too fast   8-). Silly david ¢ you have to actually look up sometimes when you are gasping for air!Way to go Sliver for finishing GA to ME in eleven years this past season!! I am so proud of you! Thank you for reading my journal!! Hang that food! Or do your best if you are on the summit of Siler Bald and the lone hardwood is gone!! Baltimore Jack and I talked about that one. (the lone tree on Siler Bald)Good night, sleep tight, don¢t let those black bears bite!!