Date: 2015-05-12
From: Crazy Larry's Hostel

To: Crazy Larry's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

There are more people in town every day and the back yard of the hostel is pretty much full of tents and the hostel has been booked up for the festival as well. I have been spending time at the library when not working for work or walking around town. Tent city at the ball park is rapidly filling up and it is getting pretty festive there with drum circles at night and plenty of peace pipes and fire water. After the initial few days, I haven't had any luck at finding work to do but am having a good time walking around town. I have been loving walking through this town and meeting its people. The area reminds me of the Texas hill country with its mountains and rivers. As I was looking at my pictures and videos from Roan mountain I wanted to take a few moments to talk about cold weather gear and when is a good point to send that gear home for the summer.I noticed in Erwin, in late April, that hikers were starting to switch to their summer gear and sending home the jackets, sleeping bags and other cold weather gear. I didn't do this as I had heard that Mt. Rodgers or the Grayson Highlands were the place to do so and I am glad that I listened to that recommendation. On May 1st near Roan Mountain severe winter weather hit with rain, freezing rain, hail and snow in various combinations in the afternoon, night and part of the next day. I saw hikers stop in at the Roan Mountain shelter who didn't have any cold weather gear and who were forced (against our advice) to move through the storm unprepared in the hopes that the weather would me moderated by the lower elevation, which wasn't the case. We at the shelter watched with apprehension as they disappeared into the storm down the trail, shivering and miserable as they went. The next morning I heard tales of hypothermia in the following shelters that didn't have windows or doors to close to keep the weather out, and of the love and support of hikers who came to the aid of those who were in bad shape and in need of help. If you are planning a thru-hike know that weather conditions on the trail can be extreme at almost any point on the trail at any time. The Smokies can have snow and freezing temps well towards summer due to the altitude, and remember that it is actually a rain forest so you should be prepared for cold and wet conditions. A stove may add weight to your pack but it can be a life saving piece of equipment for yourself or a hiker that you meet who is suffering from exposure to the elements. It is a piece of safety equipment that you should carry. Warm meals in the evenings or beverages can quickly raise your body temperature to a safe level quickly.Signs that you are becoming hypothermic - If you think you are in trouble try doing a dexterity test by buttoning or undoing buttons. If you have difficulty with a simple task like this and you feel like there are mittens on your hands you may be in a dangerous situation and may have hypothermia. Stop what you are doing and start heating water if you are able and if others are present let them know of your condition and ask for help. If you are at a shelter or dry area strip down and get into your sleeping bag and if others are present see if someone can make you a hot beverage or soup, hot water will work if that's all you have as you have to get your core temperature up if you are to survive. These are some of the things I have learned and I have helped a few pre-hypothermic hikers with hot drinks making sure they warmed up in a sleeping bag at the shelter. It is by no means a thorough how to but rather a primer to get you wanting to learn more so that you might be able to save a life on the trail, possibly your own. Thanks for reading and following my blog. Happy Trails!