Date: 2018-05-07
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Stan Murry/ Over-mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.1

What a day this was! Trail to Hughes Gap was not bad, including the first part of Roan Mountain to Ash Gap. The switchbacks were our friends. The last 1 1/2 miles however were steep, rocky and slow.  I almost missed the sign to Roan High Knob Shelter as the white blazes were few and far between. Then came the first time I thought I was lost. The AT follows a wide rocky bed that switchbacks and the blazes are non existent. I hiked on and on looking for the next blaze. I took my map and compass out twice to check. This HAS to be the trail I tried convincing myself, not feeling the confidence I wanted. Just when a panicky feeling started to claw it's way into my brain and fear loomed, another 50 yards further-- there painted brightly was the AT White Blaze. I could have strangled that tree for making me feel so lost!!  Carvers Gap was a disappointment. I thought there would be a picnic table to sit and enjoy or maybe even a bathroom but no, just a privy and an asphalt parking lot full of  cars. As I hiked up Round Bald I met a woman who had a basket full of ramps. She shared a bit of her knowledge on how to identify them in the wild and cautioned not to eat too many as they can "clean you out." I arrived at Stan Murray Shelter around 4:30 pm and was the only person there for a short while when Castaway and JBeebs arrived. I greeted them with "Whew, I'm glad there is going to be someone else at the shelter tonight." But they said they were heading 1.9 miles to Over-Mountain Shelter. "You should too. It is an old Red Barn." I told them that I had already gone 14 plus miles and didn't know if I could make it another 1.9 before it got dark. "I'm really slow." "Yes you can, there is plenty of daylight!" I told them about my experience of feeling lost and asked them if the Shelter was well marked. They thought it was well marked, though it was off the trail. I asked if they could mark it for me just in case. "Sure we'll put sticks in the trail." So they started off with me right behind. I soon lost sight of them. I was nervous, a bit scared but kept reminding myself I had 2 liters of water and everything I needed in my pack. The trail was amazing, dirt and down hill! I got to Yellow Mountain Gap and there in the middle of the trail were a group of branches and etched in the dirt SHELTER ->->->. I headed down the side trail and arrived at the Big Red Barn. Castaway and J Beebs greeted me "Wow you came in just 7 minutes behind us." I thanked them for the "sign" and taking care of me. "That is what adrenaline and and a little bit of fear can do!"During dinner I was exchanging some observations I'd made while hiking, when Sticks (Stix?) made one of his own. "You know my hike has been pretty tame but not since you've been here. First there was the pork loin Luau, second "Turtle", the older guy dancing to his own ear plug music, and then last night with the late arrival of the two guys with the dog. I had to admit all those events happened.I had a beautiful view from my sleeping bag, big bright moon, hikers around a campfire and a realization that I had miscalculated and would arrive at Harbour Mountain B&B tomorrow and not the day after. A zero day loomed.