Date: 2004-03-15
From: Hiker Inn Motel, Fontana Dam, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 16, March 15,2004The weather today... let me check...yes, rain and fog. But I¢m getting ahead of myself. Let me start from the beginning. Woke today about 7:30 at the motel, packed and caught a shuttle to the trail at 8. LWOP wanted to stay another night to eat more food and rest up. My feet were itching to get back on the trail. I¢ve got nothing against staying at a motel, but there is just something about the trail that calls me back to it. (It¢s also cheaper :-)When I got out of the car, 2 hikers on the dam shouted "Captain Hook!" Then Haiku and Moonpie shouted my name from the visitor center. Its a good feeling to instantly be recognized within 10 seconds by 4 people. The 2 hikers on the bridge were Alex, who now has the trail name Mellow, and Paul Cooker. So Paul Cooker and Mellow took off across Fontana Dam towards the park. I went to visit with Haiku and Moonpie. Gave Moonpie her groundsheet that I had been carrying for the past 40 miles. See, Wildcat met his wife at the N.O.C. and she brought 2 pieces of Tyvek. Tyvek is stuff they put on houses. It¢s a thin plastic sheet that is great for a ground sheet for a tent or a tarp. So since moonpie was a day behind be he gave me 2 sheets of Tyvek. One sheet for myself and one sheet for her. So I was glad to hand that off. We then headed off over the dam. To our surprise we see Mellow walking back towards the visitors center. He forgot to get water! It¢s a good thing he remembered when he did because we did not cross many streams today. Once on the other side of the dam we entered into the Great Smoky Mountains. Had a short talk with a ranger who was just making sure we were all safe and happy. After that, Fireball, his wife, Moonpie, Haiku, and I headed up the 4 mile uphill. It was not bad compared to the other hills climbed before this one. It was a lot easier than lots of other people had said it would be. Then it started raining. At first a drizzle, then it turned into a constant downpour. Decided not to put on rain gear because it was still warm enough, and when hiking, it¢s too warm to wear rain gear. But since we are climbing in elevation, the temperature drops quickly. Decided that if I stopped for lunch it would be to cold and miserable, so I kept on trucken to the first shelter. At lunch Haiku, Moonpie and I decided to spend the night here rather than hike two and a half more miles in the cold rain. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it¢s been foggy all day so the views are out of question. That was kind of disappointing because I¢ve heard that the views today are some of the best on the trail. Can't do a thing about the fog, or should I say "smoke". Changed into warm clothes and had some lunch. Then ten minuites later, fixed a large pot of mac and cheese. Got some water from the stream, hung the food bag and crawled in my sleeping bag. It hasn¢t stopped raining and the belly is full - life is good, even in miserable conditions. That could all change tomorrow when we hike 17 some miles, or it could be 15, can¢t remember. This fog is really creepy and now that it¢s dark, people are too afraid to pee outside. It¢s one of those really thick fogs. At lunch the fog was just rolling through, but since then it¢s been getting thicker and thicker like a good warm hearty soup. I¢m going to call it a night now. I imagine its going to be a long day, it all depends on the weather. But it also depends on our food. I have 5 days of food, so that puts a damper on how much slack time that can be spent in the park. There is always the option to drop into Gatlinburg for a visit, but that would be last resort because it is not very hiker friendly. Have been there once, and don't plan on returning. It¢s still raining and everyone else is sleeping, so I will follow suit and throw in my cards for tonight. Goodnight to all and to all a goodnight!