Date: 2005-04-05
From: Sam's Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

Sam's Gap to Spivey GapThe day started out well enough.  Blue sky and mild temps.  It was a bit of a push to Big Bald, but when we got to the top of the massive bald moutain we had 360* panaoramic views.  A few people we hadn't met as well as others we know were laying in the grass, basking in the sun and enjoying the gift of the day.  We met the Tennessee Walkers, Nurse Nick and Steven aka Steak and Eggs for the first time.All enjoyed a long leisurely lunch talking with everyone and playing with Kaya, Tennessee Walker's dog. There was some snow, and a lot of blow downs and mucky mud on the trail, but nothing as bad as that knee deep snow two days ago.The people we were dropped off with this morning were slackpacking and moving faster than us with our full packs.  An hour or so after departing Big Bald, we stopped to get some water.  Nathan/Skillet and Bottle were a little up the trail with Kitty Litter.  We heard a loud retching from them, and found Nathan was sick and vomiting.  Another hiker had been laid out for a couple of days with a stomach virus, and we figured Skillet probably had caught it.  We offered water, immodium or pepto and asked if they needed any help.  All having been declined, we left them with Kitty Litter who decided to stick with them, just in case.  We toodled along down the trail to the Big Rocks overlook, where we decided to take a break for snacks and to appreciate the views. As we were packing up to head down, Gravity saw Kitty Litter down on the trail.  He was very agitated and Gravity asked about Skillet.  Kitty Litter explained that his condition had degraded severely and that he feared he might be going into shock.  Gravity decided to go back up the trail with his full pack in case he needed to set Skillet up for the night.  Since they were slackpacking they had no tent or sleeping bags.  KL told us that he was very chilled and that they were low on water.  Fortunately, we had all our gear and plenty of water.  Gravity headed back up the trail while KL headed down to meet Miss Janet and possibly notify emergency services.  When Gravity intercepted Skillet and Bottle, Skillet was in bad shape.  He was extremely weak and only barely lucid.  Fortunately he could walk.  Gravity gave him water and gatorade while he and Bottle helped Skillet down the mountain.  Miss Janet called the EMTs and got SciFi to run back up to check and see if a crew would need to bring a litter in to evacuate Skillet, or if he could make it as it was.It was very slow going for Gravity, Bottle and Skillet.  Fortunately the Tennessee Walkers caught up and provided additional help and support.  Down at Spivey Gap, first the Sheriff arrived.  Then the next emergency rescue crew.  Gravity with Nathan, Bottle and the T Walkers were moving at about a mile an hour.  When the EMT's finally decided what to do and discharged up the trail, the group was just 100 yards away.  Despite extremely severe dehydration and the terrible condition he was in, Skillet made it out on his own two feet with the help of the other four that were with him.  He was immediately put on an IV with fluids and taken to the hospital.  It was terrifying and stressful but they got him to safety and he should recover fully.It was after 9 pm when the whole scene of energency vehicles and responders cleared out.  We and the T Walkers set up camp, cooked our dinners, and collapsed exhausted into our sleeping bags.  It will be a longer night for Skillet and Bottle in the hospital, but at least they are in the care of medical professionals, and now Skillet can just concentrate on getting better...Very frightening, but I have to believe that we did have a guardian angel watching over us today...Danger