Date: 2015-04-30
From: Clingmans Dome /Tower Path

To: Davenport Gap /Green Corner Road
Miles today: 41.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I took a zero day on Monday, 4/20/15 to get laundry done, dry out, rest up, and resupply. Because I had such a hard time getting to/from Gatlinburg from the AT, I planned to finish the Smokies and stay on the AT until Hot Springs, NC, a total of 75 miles.If asked whether they are going all the way to Maine, most thru hikers say "that's the plan." The reason being that we hope to make it to Maine, but we all know the plan is subject to change literally at any moment for a million different reasons. My thru hike is no different.I arranged to be picked up and taken back to Clingmans Dome visitor center at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, 4/21/15. It was cold, foggy,and so windy that it took my breath away. I hiked up the paved path to the exact spot I came off the AT on Sunday, and noticed the frost on the trees. For several hours I was the only fool out there.Eventually the sun started to burn through the thick fog, the air got warmer,and the wind died down. I reached Newfound Gap, and enjoyed the views and a little trail magic before moving on to Icewater Spring Shelter, for a total of about 11 miles.I had a headache most of the day, which I chalked up to dehydration or lack of sleep. I quickly set up my tent, got ready for bed, and took Nyquil as a precaution. In the morning, Wednesday, 4/22/15, it quickly became apparent that I had caught a bad headcold, most likely from sleeping in the shelters with my fellow hikers, most of whom had been coughing and sneezing the week before. I decided to take a zero in the shelter to get extra rest, drink lots of water, and try Dayquil to try to knock it out quickly.I got up early on Thursday, 4/23/15, and got an early start. I felt a little better, but I did not expect it to last. The next shelter was Peck's Corner, but it required a 1/2 mile hike off the AT to get to it. The AT followed ridges, with no flat spots to safely pitch a tent.   I knew I did not have enough energy to make it to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter, so I bit the bullet and hiked the extra 1/2 mile to Peck's Corner shelter, calling it a day after just a little over 7 miles. I claimed a spot in the shelter and got ready for bed at mid-afternoon. My hope was to limp along from shelter to shelter until I either got better or I got to Davenport Gap and could get off the AT. I realized that it was unlikely I would get better. I also have a history of pnuemonia. Being unable to clear my ears, it was likely that I would rupture one or both of my eardrums during the descent out of the Smokies, a change of over 4,000 feet. I decided I was going to get checked out medically before heading back out on the trail. I stayed at Crosby Knob Shelter, and on Sunday morning completed the descent out of the Smokies. There is nothing but a dirt road at Davenport Gap. I knew my resupply boxes and a medical center was located at Hot Springs. So my goal was to get to Hot Springs as quickly as possible.At Standing Bear Hostel I was able to pay $70 for a shuttle to Hot Springs. Fortunately I was also able to get a room at the local motel.The next morning I was seen at the medical center. As I suspected, in addition to a terrible headcold, I ruptured my left ear drum and had pneumonia in my right lung. I was sent back to my motel room with a large sack of medications.I took the pneumonia diagnosis VERY seriously and immediately made arrangements for my husband to pick me up and take me home to recover.   HOWEVER, I have also already made plans to resume my thru hike June 1st, if my doctor clears me. My intent is to be an AT thru hiker, not a section hiker. So I have a lot of work to do to recover, return to the AT, and get to Katahdin before 10/15/15. I will keep you posted.The AT is calling, and I have LOTS of miles to hike and LOTS of mountains to climb ... but first I need to get better.