Date: 2014-04-14
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 11.7

Last night, Viking told us of his plans to get out of camp super early and push hard and fast 11 miles north to A. Rufus Morgan Shelter to secure a spot before the rain came. Because I was heading to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), just 0.7 miles past the shelter, I knew I wouldn't be camping in the rain, but I still wanted an early start to avoid hiking in it. At 4:30am, I heard Viking wake up Baguette and tell him he was heading out to the next shelter. Coincidentally, I was awake anyway, and decided to pack up and head out too. By 5:30am, I was all packed up. This was my first time leaving camp under the cover of darkness, and it took me twice as long to pack up. This was partly because I was trying to be quiet as to not wake up the people camped around me, and partly because I could only see what was illuminated by my headlamp.I was on the AT heading north at 6:00am. Sunrise wouldn't be for another hour. It was pitch black and deathly quiet. The only sound I heard was my heartbeat. It was so beautiful and peaceful in the woods this morning. I really felt alive, as all my senses were heightened in the dark misty woods. I knew Baguette, Freebird, and The Fonz were not far behind. When I got to Tellico Gap, 3.5 miles into my day, the sun had risen, and I decided to take a break and eat breakfast. I had a pack of Pop-Tarts and a blueberry Clif bar. Soon after, Baguette, Freebird, and The Fonz arrived, and we sat and talked for about 30 minutes, and then began the climb up Wesser Bald. Wesser Bald has a fire tower on top, which Baguette and me climbed. We saw the other guys below and asked if they were coming up, and The Fonz replied, "Hell no, today ain't about the smiles, its about the miles" and they hurried down the mountain. The Fonz is a guy about my age who lives on Staten Island, and he is hilarious. He is by far the funniest guy I've met on the trail so far. Baguette and I hung out on the tower for about 10-15 minutes, when a strong gust of wind blew his Genessee Cream Ale hat off, and sent it flying down the mountain. We stayed on the fire tower for a few more minutes, looking at the ominous dark clouds rolling in from all directions. Rain was imminent, that much we knew. What we didn't know was whether or not we would get caught in it. The first order of business was for Baguette to try to get his hat. After 15 minutes of what looked like a reenactment of Cliffhanger, he got it. We then hiked on.The next 7 miles to the NOC were basically straight down. Because of the steep descent, this was the hardest day on trail so far for me. We only went 11.7 miles today, but the 7 mile descent into the Nantahala River Gorge was extremely slow going and a nightmare on my ankles and knees. I thought I would never get to the NOC. After a few hours, I took a break and met Wanderbus and Safety First. Wanderbus is also a lawyer, so he and I talked about the legal world for a bit, and then I moved on. I still had 3 miles of this descent left. 2.3 miles later, I saw Viking hanging out at the A. Rufus Morgan Shelter, where he snagged a spot inside. His early morning mission was a success. We exchanged phone numbers so we can meet up on Wednesday as we head out of the NOC.It was very interesting to begin the day above 5000 feet above sea level and hike down to 1600 feet above sea level. In the high elevations, there is hardly any plants blooming, and the trees are all bare. As I descended lower and lower, the woods turned greener and greener. At the NOC, the temperature was considerably warmer, and the woods were in bloom! Spring is on its way! The trees were full of leaves and the forest floor was a lush green; a stark contrast to how the day began high on the mountain top. When I got to the NOC, my first order of business was to eat! I ended up walking the last mile in the rain, which was my first time being rained on during this hike. 136 dry miles for one semi-wet one. I'll take that trade every time! At the NOC, I saw Belch and Lover Boy in the restaurant, and I sat down to eat with them. My burger was great. I then went across the street and saw Racewalker, who I haven't seen since camping at the Cheese Factory a week ago. We caught up for a few minutes. It was pouring rain, and dozens of hikers were hanging out under the covered porch, drinking beer. This sounded like a fine idea to me, and I went in the store and got a Bud Light tallboy, and joined everyone. Bama, Iron Cheeks, and Earnhardt were there too, and we sat around drinking beer on a rainy Monday afternoon, talking about how lucky we were to be here, and our plans for the trail ahead. I'm taking a zero day tomorrow to rest and relax, and possibly buy a new pair of boots, as the ones I have now don't offer too much support. Two hiking days to Fontana Dam, and then we enter the Smokies!