Date: 2009-01-02
From: Planning Phase

To: Planning Phase
Miles today: 0.0

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!! Now this is more like it. Another great shakedown is underfoot,literally. After my friend and I shuttled my car to Big Creek Ranger station on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains we hung out in Gatlinburg Christmas night. Day 1..Early the next morning I got to New Found Gap on Hwy 441 and began my hike.With an aire of excitement I walked off onto the Applachian trail into the cool,foggy,misty atmosphere.Even though there were no views because of the fog the trail had its exciting moments.There was a decorated tree right on the trail(above pic).That was thoughtful of someone.I arrived at Ice Water Springs shelter and took a short break.I left a note in the shelter log to Pounce a southbounder thru- hiker that I thought might be coming through there in the next few days.I have been reading her trailjournal since she started in Maine in June.The shelter had a huge tarp covering the opening to block the cold wind.A few nights ago the temp was at zero or below.Brrrrr Many ice sheets remained on the trail and side trails had been made to divert the thick ice.I took the side trails..lol But even they dug into the steep side of the mountain.On my way to Pecks Corner shelter, my destination for the night, I passed Charles Bunion overlook but there was nothing to see but the dense fog.Then to my surprise I met Pounce.She came up behind me pretty fast so I stepped aside to let her pass.I recognized her immediately.She had read my note at IWS shelter.What a treat to meet her!! She and Wheeler were going north through the northern half of the Smokies.She thought that she and Wheeler( he had zoomed by me before her) were going to stay at Peck's also and we would talk that night.But it turned out that Peck's was quiet full and they went on.I even set up my tent that night.The 10.8 miles to Peck's(yeah I counted the .4 miles to the shelter from the AT..ha!) made a long first day back out for me.But a good hike it was. Day 2..was a shorter day at 5.6 ( counting the .4 miles back to the AT had some good climbs over Mt Sequoyah and Mt.Chapman.The views were still socked in so that gave me extra time to think about all the huffing and puffing,spitting and spewing I was doing.Ha! Imagine that, that is what I was missing in my last entry...lol A nice work out for the thighs and lungs.Tri-Corner Knob shelter was also draped with a huge tarp and it was really keeping some boisterous winds out.Weather report was winds 35-40 mph with even bigger gusts.I decided to stay in the shelter that night.I was the first one there but later three section hikers arrived and made for some nice company.Also Pounce left a note for me in the log book detailing why she and Wheeler didn't stay at Peck's Corner and how she was bummed having to miss our chat.Thanks Pounce, but I truly understand.Early Congrats my friend!! Day 3..the trail took me 7.7 miles to Cosby Knob shelter over Mt.Guyot and Cosby Knob.Some amazing blow downs from the night before were across the trail but passable.Yay!!Cosby Knob shelter too had a tarp and I initally set up in the shelter as I was the only one there.But just before dark about ten young boys and one girl came in and kind of consumed my very air..lol So I migrated into the camp area and set up my tent again.The views were some better today as the fog began to lift.It actually made for some very nice pics of low clouds and shadows between the mountains.When nature called in the middle of the night the stars were spectacular .I just stood there and watched them sparkle like new diamonds.WOW!! I really am in the mountains. Day 4..I hiked 8.2 miles over Sunup Knob and Mt.Cammerer.Nice jolts to get the cold morning stiff limbs warmed up.But the greater half of this trek was downhill.Waaay down.I could see the FFA Tower on Snowbird Mountain way off in the North Carolina mountains as the sun beamed off it.I was just there a couple of months ago.Too cool!!The Chestnut Branch Trail was just lovely as was this whole trip.My feet felt like mush though by the time I reached my car at Big Creek Ranger station.But no black toes or blisters.YAY!!! I did return my old Hubba because it was leaking and ordered a Hubba HP.I didn't have it for this trip so I used my old Eureka Zeus 1 The condensation is this single wall is terrible.And it is a lot smaller than I remember...hhhhmmmmm???