Date: 2006-04-12
From: Franklin, NC

To: Silar Bald
Miles today: 3.7

Finally today we got out of town.Another extra day there due to waiting for gear. Ithink finally now all my gear woes are behind me. Igot my laundry done, followed up on emails and mytrail journal. When we arrived at Winding Stair gap togo into Franklin, we were picked up by a guy namedCrutch. He thru hiked last year, aand did part of itwith a cast on his ankle. He was a nice guy and veryhelpful with advice. We went to eat with him fordinner at a good all you can eat steak house.It wasgreat to fill up on salads and vegtables, and ICECREAM!! After all chores were completed this morningCrutch took us back to the trail and we got in justshort of 4 miles. This is a nice little spot. I canhear the stream a few yards away. Tonight I am in ameadow near the top of one of the many mountains. Theycall these open areas balds. Most are naturallyoccuring open spaces near or on top of mountains. Someare manmade years ago by settlers so they could grazetheir livestock. I am looking forward to a clear nightand viewing all the stars. I have been asked about some terms I have been usingso here are some definitionsThru Hiker: Someone who has or is intending to hike the entiretrail in one season. Additionally someone that hassection hiked the entire trail is considered a thruhiker as well.Section Hiker:Someone who is doing the trail a section a a time.Over the years they intend to do the entire trail.Crutch told me that last year when he summittedKatahdin (the northern terminus of the trail) a couplein their seventies was also summitting. Completing 28years of section hiking the entire trail! Prettyimpressive. Shelter:Along the trail about every 8 to 10 miles there is a 3sided structure built for use by all hikers. It isusually near a water source. It usually has a Privy(outhouse) and room to sleep 6 to 12 comfortably oralot more uncomfortably if it is raining. There isusually a picnic table to prepare your meals on. Youroll your sleeping bag out on the floor. Some of theshelters have lofts. These shelters, especially theolder ones are notorious for having mice problems. Itis possible for you to have a mice run across yourbag, or your forehead as you sleep. They are 3 sideddo the potential for other visitors is there as well.In the Smokies, there is a fence erected in front ofthe shelters to keep bears from visiting too closely.Bear Cable: or bear line, or bear bag. Is a cablesystem strung between two trees. With the use of apulley and hooks you hang your bag of food from thiscable system. This is done to prevent (or try toprevent bears from smelling, coming into camp thengettin your food. It also reduces the amount of foodin a shelter, thereby reducing the mice problem.Hostel:A for profit facility that provide to hikers a bunk,and usually community bathroom factilites. It is muchlike an Army baracks. Bunks in one big room. Somehostels provide one meal. Some only provide kitchenfacilities and you prepare your own meal. You usuallysleep in your own sleeping bag. Ocasionally a hostelwill provide sheets. This is very basic lodging. Costis usually about $15.00AYCE:All you can eat. Hikers search them out when in town.PUDS:Pointless ups and down. What the trail does for nowgood reason. Takes you up a mountain when going aroundseems so much more logicalToe Grabbers and Ankle Snappers: (my own term) Theseare roots and rocks in the trail that simply wear yourfeet out. You must stay focused when waling on traillike this to prevent trips aad falls.Ridgerunner:A volunteer that travels a section of the trailoffering assistance if needed. Offering advise or newsabout trail conditions ahead. Reminds hikers topractice leave no trace tactics.Leave no trace:simple rules to reduce the impact on the land. Firesonly in designated spots, carry out your trash, don'tcut switchbacks, etc...Switchback:going straight up a mountain is not feasible, so goingup the mountain as a less gradual angle is done. takesmore time by going back and forth, but is easier todo.Trail Magic:Good deeds bestowed on hikers in time of need. Such asan ice chest full of drinks or candy bars at a roadcrossing. Someone giving you a ride when you need it.Or stopping by a shelter and providing or cookingdinner. Usually done by locals or previous thru hikerswho want to return the favors done to them in thepast.Trail Angel:Anyone who does trail magic.Gap:The low section between mountains. Some are small dipsin the ridgeline between the mountain tops. I havealways called these saddles. Large gaps are near thebottom of the mountains. After a long descent wearrive at the gap. There is ususally a water source atthese gaps, and the roads go through these gaps. I have noticed in these mountains, there are no bencheslike are commonly in the Ozark Mountains. Here themountain falls downward at a steady angle. No flatbenches. It just drops off for hundreds of feet untilit reaches the bottom of what I call a hollow. No flatbenches to walk on. Hunting must be difficult in thisarea. Unless you are standing on a manmade trail yourfooting is never level. You are either climbing onyour hands & knees, or sliding on your butt. That is about all I can think of at this time. Ifanyone has any specific questions I will be happy toanswer. Good night for now.Clay