Date: 2016-03-19
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Day 27 - Siler Bald Shelter to Newfound Gap/Gatlinburg, TN 3/19/16 12.1 milesOkay night's sleep last night. It was Rhodo and North Star's first ever night staying in a shelter and from the sound of things North Star couldn't get comfortable. I woke everyone up around 6:20am so we could get out of there around 7:30am. The shelters in the Smoky's are very picturesque. Made of stone with a fireplace on the inside. There is usually a tarp on the opening and a nice sheltered eating area. It was a bunked shelter on the inside so up to 14 people could squeeze in if need be. We had about 10 in the shelter and our group all slept up top with North Star, Nomadic Fish and Chalk Dust. Bandit, Tots, and Little Tree were on the bottom. I had a granola bar and should have eaten more but wanted to get started. I was very cold standing still and the other 3 weren't ready so I got moving. This was the first time setting out in the dark and alone. I really enjoyed the stillness around me. It was almost twilight so about 15 minutes in I was able to turn my headlamp off. It was very lightly misting so I had my rain jacket on. I had only a liter of water which meant my pack weight wasn't too much.Around the one mile mark Corncob caught up to me so I followed him to the next shelter which was only 1.7 miles away. At the mile mark we experienced our first big terrain change. Corncob passed through a tunnel of deep green hemlocks, the first we have seen. Immediately we began to be surrounded by all things green, moss, grass, hemlocks, even the thick fog had a slight green tint to it. It was wonderful. In the past, the fog amongst the stark, brown poplar-dense environment seemed so eerie. Fog among the hemlocks is less eerie and more calming. There is a sense of life with every step you take. More wildlife, everything is damp and the hemlock needles are exceptionally lush and soft to the touch.We came through the trees and encountered Double Springs Shelter at the 1.7 mark. We were immediately greeted by an ATC Ridgerunner named Chloe. She asked us if we had our Smoky's permit and where we stayed last night. She gave us a speel about how we shouldn't be afraid of the Norovirus in shelters and that the privy was clean. Afterward, I filled up my Smart Water bottle at the shelter's water source. This way, if I run out of my 1 liter in my camelback I have more I can filter. Cheetah and Rhodo showed up and Chloe gave them the same info.We all went on our way. This was one of the 1st times I lead the group. I am much more comfortable in the middle or as the caboose but today I was motivated by the thought of seeing mom. My body is beat up from the rough terrain and high mileage we have been pushing. My feet and diet are suffering the most. My right arch is bruised and my feet are swollen from the daily pounding. I also need to focus more on upping my caloric intake. I am not eating enough and still burning over 5,000 calories a day. I am going to re-add cheese and pita to my diet as well as whey protein.Climbing up Clingman's Dome was not too much of a difficulty. My fuel tank was on "E" though because my stomach was so empty. Beautiful surrounding the entirety of the climb. This made up for the awful views. We were literally in a cloud and whenever we could see past the trees it was a wall of thick white fog.We made it to the top and still couldn't see a thing. It still felt amazing to stand on the highest point of elevation on the trail. I have a moment almost every day where I suddenly realize what I am doing. I had this moment at the top of Clingman's Dome. Happiness, exhaustion, pride and determination all with a healthy dose of amazement.We headed downhill. There were 8 miles to Newfound Gap and we needed to be there by 2 or 3pm. We began walking 3mph but Corncob, Cheetah, and Rhodo needed a water source and had to stop to fill up. The was right after our lunch actually. Rewind to lunch: We sat next to a sign that told us Newfound was only 4.5 miles away. Rhode shared some of his Ramen with me bc I desperately needed a hot meal. It started raining on us and it got very cold. I can see how ppl become hypothermic in the Smoky's bc at 40 degrees and raining it chills your bones to stand still.While they got water I went on solo to keep warm. I was moving fast after a stomach full of ramen and the added inspiration of mothers with food. I made it to Indian Gap Road with 1.7 miles to Newfound Gap. I waited for the rest of the group. Cheetah has Verizon service so I called mom on her phone to see if they could make it up to Indian Gap Road. The idea was to throw our packs in their car and then slack pack the last 2 miles. Bad news: they had gone the wrong way for an hour and wouldn't be there until 5 or 6pm. It was 2:!5pm at the time. It then started pouring. Needless to say this lowered my mood quite a bit. We had woken up extra early and speed-hiked 10.3 miles to get there in time. I became very cold and had to continue on to warm up. We told them we would wait in the bathrooms for them at Newfound.Those last 2 miles I hiked the fastest I ever have. I basically ran over the mountain and Corncob accurately described it as "hate-hiking." This was good for me bc it allowed me to be alone and isolate my angry mood. I quickly realized it was inappropriate for me to be upset at my mom for anything. She is taking time out of her life to come down to see me. It's wonderful that she comes at all. I am lucky. I was able to remind myself of this during my "hate-hike."Coming into Newfound Gap was crazy. We were in the middle of a cloud in a wind storm. You'd could barely see the cars. On the last 100 yds we ran into Bandit's father who was w/ another man named Godspeed. Bandit was supposed to have arrived at 3pm to be picked up. I told them that she hadn't left the shelter before us and that she is slow and steady. They went on up the trail to try and gather more info. Godspeed said there was trail magic at the gap.I arrived to a petite woman handing out sandwiches, soda, and chips out of a huge white truck. Other hikers were around. It was freezing, raining, and crazily foggy. I grabbed some food, thanked her as best I could, and headed for the public restroom. Cheetah came up and I let her know where I would be.We set up shop in the bathroom. I was able to talk to my mom and they had arranged for a shuttle to pick us up and take us to the condo bc they were still running behind. We were picked up by Mark ($45 total). Very nice man w/ a long white ponytail. It was great seeing Rhodo and Corncob's faces when we reached the Gatlinburg main strip. They were amazed haha.We made it to the condo and were blown away. This place is a palace and so so so nice. We immediately found the jacuzzi tub and freaked out. Then, we all turned and saw ourselves in the mirror of the bathroom and freaked out even more. So dirty, so sunburnt. Our mom's arrived and I was so happy. I am so grateful to have her here. She envelopes me with a sense of ease and comfort. All I can remember after that is FOOD FOOD FOOD. I have missed bread, butter and sal the most. I had 6 pieces of focaccia with butter and salt. For dinner we had lasagna, salad, brownies, guacamole, veggie dip, deviled eggs, BREAD! Mom also brought everyone easter baskets, Mrs. Keegan brought wine! Then we did laundry and lounged.f Then sleep. Bed so comfy. Oh, we watched the UK game and we lost to IU Sad but Truitt can visit me sooner now so I'm happy!