Date: 2016-04-10
From: Sassafrass Gap shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Woke up today with a sense of dread. Not only was it freezing out, but I knew that today I would be faced with my highest mileage yet, 9.1, and had to do a huge steep climb right at the end of the day. I got going with leadened boots and started up out of the shelter area, climbing Cheoah Bald. Once to the top, threading my way through the rocks, I came upon SoLow, who was having his breakfast while admiring the incredible views. What a great idea! I hope to be able to do that at some point, but certainly not until it is much warmer in the mornings! We chatted a bit, then I continued on, coming out onto the flat grassy area of the bald. Goner and Wooby had camped here last night and they awoke to a spectacular view. As we all looked around, hikers drifted in and around taking pictures and gabbing. You wouldn't think there would be much to say since we were all at the shelter together this morning, chatting around the fire. Somehow hikers manage to find common ground, even if it to discuss at depth the previous 100 feet of trail just traversed!The elevation is now 5000' and it was time to descend. Once past the rocks, it was good footing and I was able to move along rapidly, dropping down 1000' or so into Stecoah Gap, where there is a highway road crossing. This also means a way to bail out and get into a town, thus avoiding Jacobs Ladder! Down at the gap, there were picnic tables and trash cans. I know it seems a little odd to get excited about trash cans, but you need to realize that we are all being good responsible hikers, and carrying out all our trash, which in our minds gains weight the longer we carry it! A trash can means you can lighten your pack weight by a whopping few ounces, before a big climb. I, for one, was excited to drop my trash! On the picnic table, a trail angel had left a bunch of apples, set up in the shape of the AT symbol, as well as some bananas. Yum. I downed a banana, then got out my lunch and proceeded to eat. In the meantime, White Noise, a young Brit, offered to go fill water containers, and I gratefully accepted, as my legs were so tired. I rewarded him with a KitKat, which pleased him, so it was a good barter. Now it was time to tackle the biggie. Jacob's ladder is a .5 mile straight uphill. No switchbacks, no steps, or log assists, just a plain dirt path up to the sky. 10 steps rest, 10 steps swear, 5 steps begging for mercy, and so it went. It took 45 minutes to go one half mile and my legs felt like jelly at the top. Once there, a rocky knob had to be climbed, then it was coast downhill to the shelter.What a relief to get to camp, look at my watch and see that I made good time today. Have I finally developed hiker legs? It was good to see familiar faces again tonight, it's beginning to feel like family. Sprinkle toes, Crisco and Bushwacker were in the shelter and applauded my approach. As I threw myself onto the floor, trying to disengage my pack, I asked where the water was. Sprinkle toes replied that it was down the hill where there was a nice flowing Creek. When I groaned loudly, she offered to go fetch water for me as she had been sitting there in the shelter for a couple of hours and felt the need for some exercise. Can you imagine? This young woman hikes 9 miles,carrying an enormous pack, in a relatively short time, sits down for an hour or so and then feels the need for more exercise? Well, I was not one to question it, so I gratefully handed her my water container, thanking her profusely. Love this hiker community!