Date: 2013-04-13
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

It was kind of a sleepless night because one of the other shelter-dwellers didn't have a warm enough sleeping bag. They tossed and turned and shook the shelter with every readjustment. Oh the joys of shared accomodations (but really I can't complain because I had a place to rest my body)!At about 7 a.m. everyone started rousing. Holy Smokes! Everything was covered in a thick layer of frost! I was so happy I hadn't tried to sleep exposed. The sun dashed in and out from behind vanilla colored clouds. I think we all stood in awe and then dashed for our cameras. Again, my fingers were frozen. Ahhhh!!!!It took awhile to get everything packed up because my stuff was scattered around the shelter. I settled for some luke warm coffee because my water didn't get very hot. I didn't leave until around 8, and I was in no rush because today was going to be a shorter day. The morning hike was so beautiful! I've really enjoyed the second part of the Smokies much more than the first part. I stopped at Charlie's Bunion to have a peek and take a few photos. It was so warm and clear. I started shedding layers. I saw a small snake sunning itself. The trail followed a narrow ridge with panoramic views to either side. It was neat to see the plains to the northwest and the vast mountains to the southeast. I wondered how far my line of sight extended. I started to "bonk." I'm trying to eat as much as I can, but my lack of energy tells me I need more calories and protein. I had a Snickers and Journey Bar (dog-biscuit bar) as I walked, and I stopped for an early lunch on a sunny rock. Chumy (who I've learned tonight is actually E.T.; I had misunderstood when he said his name is "Tony" and heard "Chumy", so for the last week I've been calling him by the wrong name) and So-way passed by, and I talked with them for a bit. Even after my meal I didn't feel very energized, but I got up and plugged along just the same. Everything still smells of balsam, and greenery is starting to push up through the dead leaves of yester-year. There are also lots of trees down across the trail. I had to climb up, over and around. The temperature fluctuated greatly as well. In some dark high areas there was still heavy patches of ice and snow to cross. In other areas I was so hot that I sweated through my clothes. So it was a clothes on/clothes off sort of day. I passed Pathfinder about a mile from the shelter. I had met her yesterday at the shelter. I really enjoy her company. She and E.T. (aka Chumy) arrived right after me to the shelter. Hey-Zeus, Crash, Hoops and her boy-friend and two section hikers (a nice father/son duo) were there when I arrived. Then a whole group of other hikers arrived soon after. I didn't know any of them, and I wasn't terribly impressed. They made me uncomfortable with their talk and actions. One or two of them were downright rude, spoiled, self-entitled assholes; the kind of folks that give other thru-hikers a bad wrap. If I had the option to leave the shelter and camp elsewhere, I would have, but the Park keeps you hemmed in. Luckily Pathfinder, E.T., Pom and the section hikers were there. I put my earplugs in and passed judgement on them.