Date: 2015-04-06
From: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg)

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 135.7

Updated by Sean (originally 3/31/2015; Updated 4/6/2015)"I just made it to Hot Springs NC and feeling great! Good to hear from you all."Pat arrived in Hot Springs, NC 3/31/2015. Took a zero day at Davenport Gap Shelter on 3/27/2015 while others took a zero at Standing Bear Hostel. Hiked 20 miles 3/28/2015 to avoid a nasty storm. The plan is to hike to Uncle Johnny's Hostel to pick up the care package sent by Dad and Family and hopefully finally meet up with Robbie (Rise).Updated by Sean 4/6/2015 with his journal entries beginning in Gatlinburg 3/25/2015)"I woke up on Friday morning feeling like a completely new man. Healthy and ready to hike. I watched the market open, then hustled a mile up the street to Food city for a resupply. I got a bunch of food like pepperoni, Hawaiian rolls, protein powder, oatmeal, and a gazillion granola bars/snacks and headed back to the motel to check out and get on my way. On my way through ShatlinsBurg (Sean: I am assuming this is a joke on why he ended up in town), I made two stops. The first was McDonalds (2nd time) for a large Mcflurry with oreos and reese¢s. I tourist watched as a hiker bum walked past with a unique smile and glow to himself. I was a happy man. The second stop was the NOC outfitter to replace my food bag because I was worried the rubberband and paper clip strap wouldn¢t hold for the 2nd half of Smokies. It only took about 5 minutes to hitch a ride back to Newfound Gap and I was on my way into the woods of the Smokies. Hiking into the Smokies I had great weather and moved fast. The first day I stopped at the first shelter for lunch where a young family from Montreal insisted I continue past Maine to Canada. After the discussion with them, I hiked eight or so miles to Pecks Shelter. I arrived just before dark but was still out shined by a group of middle school Boy Scouts who had arrived after a 25 mile hike. The next morning (Saturday), Prospector and a few of us decided we would push 20 miles to get lower in elevation and basically out of the Smokies before the blizzard that was to come that night. We stayed at Davenport Gap Shelter and Prospector and I decided to "zero" the next day so I could give Rise some time to catch up. We ran into amazing trail magic at the Gap (basically a resupply) and hung out and chatted with Sock Monkey and Dragonfly who hosted the Magic. Getting into the Smokies was sort of a pain in the ass, but the second half was the most amazing experience in the world.I made a quick stop at Standing Bear Hostel which was an awesome property and spot but I decided not to stay. Prospector and I moved on over Snowbird Mountain and had 7 miles or so miles to go with only 2.5 hours of light remaining. Snowbird Mountain is the only place I have frozen so much that I needed to strip down and put my long johns on while hiking directly uphill onto a snowy mountain. I hiked a few short days and arrived at Hot Springs where I heard Rise would catch up the next day. Hot Springs was an awesome town. The trail goes directly through it. During my Zero I was eating a $6 pizza out front of the hillbilly market and Rise came walking around the corner with what I believe was a Yoohoo in his hand. That was a great moment. We caught up, he helped with the pizzas, and we headed down a trail towards the French Broad River where I had camp set up. That night we finally got a poker game going. I didn¢t win but took 2nd place, they guys know to watch out next time. We sat around the fire all night and 15+ thru hikers came down after the bars closed (I didn¢t go to any of the bars, had one pizza in town) with guitars and moonshine. That became an interesting night (of course I didn't partake). I was dealing heads up poker until 1:15am in the morning. Finally I zombie walked to my tent and passed out. Prospector won all the money that day.The next day we did last minute re supplies, I ate a big salad and we headed into the mountains. Rise and I would begin our journey towards Erwin, TN. We camped in a Gap the first night where we found some water and called it an early night. The next day we hiked 15 miles and ended up at a Shelter (Jerry Cabin Shelter?). I stayed in the Shelter but Rise set-up his tent. We planned on 5 nights to Erwin but after doing another 15 the next day and staying down in Spivey Gap, we decided to push forward to Erwin for resupply. The hike From Hot Springs to Erwin was fantastic and beautiful. Not any really big mountains and awesome scenery. I was also very excited to hear about a package that was waiting for me. I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve. Haha. All of the food, coffee, chocolate, pastas, GORP, boxers and socks will get a very good use. By the way thanks for sending me the picture, I do miss all my family, friends, and regular life routines. But the cool thing is, Rise is here to hang out and hike so that has helped! I need to look at my book but next stop will probably be close to Damascus, VA in 7-8 days. I will catch up with all of you soon! Miss you all."