Date: 2017-03-31
From: Uncle Johnny's, Erwin, TN

To: Cherry gap shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

3/31/17 Cherry Gap Shelter, TNMiles hiked: 358.8, Miles to go: 1830.0It rained most of the night, with a line of thunderstorms moving through around midnight. 1st Sgt and I slept well in our small room. Although, it was a bit stuffy. We were up around 7 AM and checked out and on the trail before 8 AM. We were aiming for a campsite about 12 miles away. The first post-town day is usually pretty rough. You are carrying three or four days' worth of food, you invariably have to climb out because most of the towns are in river valleys, and you usually feel sluggish from eating too much town food. On top of all that, it was a wet, blustery day. So, 12 miles seemed about right. We left the hostel under threatening skies, crossed the river, and headed into the woods. The trail crossed the railroad tracks and wound along next to the Nolichucky River for quite awhile before starting up the hill along a babbling mountain stream. It was actually a fairly pleasant walk until the skies opened up and immediately soaked us. 1st Sgt and I continued to slog through the rain as we climbed out of the river valley. We've found that our paces are quite compatible and that our personalities are even more compatible. So, walking and talking, even in the pouring rain is quite enjoyable. So much so that we arrived at the Curly Maple Shelter, about 4.7 miles from Uncle Johnny's, much earlier than expected. When we arrived at the shelter, Glim Glom, Wet Wipes, and Honey Badger were still packing up. As we all stood under the shelter waiting for the rain to slacken, the guys told us that the group had had a veritable feast last night with all the food they had carried out of town. They also told us they were headed to a campsite another 17 miles away, which was farther than 1st Sgt and I planned to hike today. So, we bid them farewell and told them to give our regards to the rest of the group. We then took a few minutes to check in with our wives while waiting for the rain to slacken. Once the rain let up, we continued on our way. Today's hike was mostly uphill; but, it wasn't bad at all. We spent the day in conversation about deep subjects like "Marianne or Ginger?" (definitely Marianne). We continued to learn about our shared interests like Scouting, books, and music. We didn't see many people out on the trail today, three section hikers and a trail runner. We arrived at our planned stopping point at 2:30 PM, which was way too early to stop for the day. So, we decided to press on another 5 miles up over Unaka Mountain to the Cherry Gap Shelter. It was a 1200 ft climb to the top of the mountain; but, the top of the mountain was covered with this really cool thick spruce forest. 1st Sgt commented that it looked like a "Hanzel and Gretel" forest, so we started watching for a witch's house made out of candy. No such luck!When we arrived at the shelter, we were pleasantly surprised to find Lumber Jill, Winter, and Oz at the shelter, along with three other hikers named Maps, Stache (both guys), and Ringer (a middle aged woman). I think 1st Sgt and I were were both pretty happy to see "our girls" again. It had turned quite blustery and chilly, so we didn't waste time setting up our tents, changing into warmer clothes, and fixing dinner. I am now in my tent listening to the wind roar and raindrops splat against the side of the tent. I am safe, warm, and dry. I love my little tent. Tomorrow we enter the Roan Highlands!