Date: 2013-04-27
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana 28 AT crossing
Miles today: 5.4

The Slippery SlopeI tented Thursday night and the rain came during the night and stopped long enough for me to eat, get my bear bag down, dry up my tent some (yes its heavy when wet), pack up and be on the road by 9:15 am. I hiked without the rain gear and pack rain cover going up up up. It started to rain as I caught up with Turtle and Hell Izzy. I quickly put on my rain shell, pants, and pack cover. Keep in mind that when i put these on I start to sweat inside the rain gear but I stay warm. As you know by now after the up, up , up its down down down.On the way down I met a day hiker who warned me that the trail was very slippery on the way down. I assured him that my boots could handle just about anything (yeah right). So a slippery slope is like you know you all been around someone that said "You don't wanna go down that its a slippery slope". Meaning that its a dangerous course that might lead to consequences that aren't all that good. People say it to avoid topics or imprudent actions. Well I had no choice but to go down the slippery slope, whether it was wise or not. You might guess where this is going at this point. A slip on a rainy treacherous day can end your hike. So I slowed my trek down while going ever down. Yes, I did have my first fall of 165 miles. I was walking along a rather flat part ( rarely do they exist) when I slipped like in the cartoons. I believe I slid gracefully, managing to stay on the trail falling backwards on my pack. There I was laying in mud assessing my body, which was unijured. However, as Mom will attest to laying on your back is called the "Turtle" and its difficult to right your self with nearly 35 pounds on your back. I managed to get to a knee and stand up with the pack swinging wildly. I hitched up my rain pants brushed off my hands and away I went. Yes, I coulda takin my pack off but pride was working and I hate taking off the pack.I have to tell you that places that didn't appear slippery today were. Under a coat of mud was some very slippery clay. Slip and slide I did all the way down the mountain. I almost did a lovely Russian split near the end. I made it to the Fontana AT crossing at NC route 28 where there was a restroom and a phone for the shuttle for Fontana Village Resort. I had booked a room for two nights to rest, recover, and get out of the rain as the forecast says rain for several days.I shuttled the two miles to Fontana Resort with a young man who told me there have been two deaths on this very road this year. The winding roads bring car and motorcycle enthusiasts to this area.I checked in to a spacious room, ate at the grill, dried out my things, iced the knee and caught up with the real world. Tomorrow I zero here and prepare for the Smokies.I got a spam email today for Hoveround, increases your mobility, indeed. Later at night I was hungry and went to the Grill for a pizza around 8 PM. There sitting at a table was my long lost hiking partner of the first two days Iain "The Flying Scotsman" We caught up with each other and shared hiking stories. It was good to see the lad. I gave him some of my extra hiking food as Ann had mailed food to me here. What an excellent end to a day. We made plans to have breakfast together. Iain will go into the Smoky's tomorrow and I am taking a needed zero day.Yes ma I did the turtle today.