Date: 2014-04-15
From: Sam's Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: heavy intensity rain

The rain was in pause mode when we got ready to go on this morning, and we were taken back to Sam's Gap at 0910. We quickly ascended into a cold cloud, with mist rapidly progressing to rain by 1030. I had started with rain pants, but soon had my rain jacket and pack cover in place. The major climb for the day was 6.5miles in length with a 1700ft ascent. The name, Big Bald, describes a rather large area devoid of trees, where cattle were once grazed when the land was privately owned. The weather steadily deteriorated, growing colder and wetter as I ascended. Of course, trail conditions deteriorated as well. Ninety per cent of the AT this day was on the windward or Western side of the mountain, giving me no relief from the howling/freezing winds. It blew steady at 20-25, waxing to 35 and with higher gusts on the peaks. Freezing rain and sleet stung my face and had me walking with one eye (the windward one) shut at times. Ice formed on all exposed surfaces, including facial hair, glasses, rain gear, gloves, boots, and backpack. Totally exposed for the prolonged traverse at the top, all I could do was keep trudging on, head down and turned away from the wind. Leaning into the wind from the left, trying not to get blown off the ridge. Finally off the bald, I reached the Bald Mountain Shelter where I took off my pack and had a Rice Crispie Treat. My water tube was frozen. I only stopped for about 5 minutes in order to not have my ailing left knee get cold and stiff. Sleet became heavy on the descent and the trail became very slick. Once again, on a step over a log, my right foot jetted out from under me and I was on my back in an instant, in the mud, with my left leg under me. You can imagine how that felt, with a knee that had stiffened to the point it was hard to flex more that 30 degrees. The sleet became snow and continued for the entire descent. The goal for the day had been to get to Spivey Gap for the night. My toes were wet, cold and numb in the heights, but came back to life and hurt like the dickens as I slid and lurched down the steep descents. There were two more shorter, steep ascents and descents to go. By the time I reached Spivey Gap, my left leg felt like a leaden log and both feet ached mercilessly with each step. I decided to try to contact a shuttle to go into Erwin for a dry, warm bed and to give my leg and feet a rest. Bacon Dog decided to join me and share the shuttle into Erwin. My hands were wet and barely functional inside my gloves, but I had to take one off to use my Iphone. When I was entering the number for a text (voice will not go through, but texts will) I left out a number, but it looked like the text was sent. Bacon Dog checked it out a couple of times and agreed it had been sent, so we waited for an hour, with no one showing up. We were roadside and the wind was blowing the fine snow sideways. With little exertion, we were both starting to get really cold. We started walking back and forth to keep a bit of warmth inside. I was right at the point where I was going to walk back to the tenting area, look for a flat spot in the snow, and try to set up my tent with frozen fingers. We checked the text again, I discovered I had left out a number. Another text to the appropriate number got a response very quickly and Tom, the shuttle guy said he would be at the Gap in 25 minutes. We sent back, please hurry!! This was the second time on my AT adventure when I have become dangerously chilled (hypothermic) with great uncertainty about shelter for the approaching frigid night. I hope this is the last time!!!