Date: 2013-04-15
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Tie Dye awoke early because her goal was Standing Bear Farm Hostel, about 18 miles down the trail. It was mostly dark when she left, and in the process, she left her rain pants. It was still dripping outside but not really raining.I was expecting an easy, short day of about 7.7 miles, so I took my time packing. I even cooked breakfast for the first time on the trail, and I can report that I am already sick of oatmeal. Captain Dan, Camel, Alfalfa, and Tom had all planned 7.7-mile days, so no one was in a rush. I packed up and left by 8:30 a.m. The trail promised to be mostly downhill all the way to Davenport Gap, a descent of about 4,500 feet over 18 miles. I encountered a few snow piles a few miles after camp, when the elevation reached 6,300 feet. I nearly slipped on one but managed to catch my footing.About a half an hour before Cosby Knob Shelter, our intended goal, Captain Dan caught up with me. He was considering a push to the next shelter, since the trail had been so easy. I told him I had considered it too but was going to break for lunch at the shelter before making my call.We reached Cosby Knob Shelter by 12:30 p.m. Soon after, the rest of the crew arrived. Alfalfa and Camel were definitely staying. I was on the fence but decided I¢d be bored all afternoon and may as well hike on. As I was getting ready to leave, Patriot and Steph showed up. We said hello and I asked where they had stayed. They replied Tri-Corner Knob, which is where I was, but they had arrived at 7:00 p.m. and put up a tent, so I hadn¢t seen them.I headed back out at 1:30 p.m. Captain Dan and Tom decided to push on too. The sun heated us, but thankfully I encountered my first significant rhododendron green tunnel, so I was shaded for a good part of the hike. I listened to the radio for entertainment and heard the breaking news about the Boston Marathon explosions. I texted my friend Mel, and she confirmed that our Boston friend Tim was okay. My heart and thoughts were certainly with the injured, and I admit I got a bit choked up as I listened to the news descriptions.From a distance, I could see I40. It passes through the mountains at Davenport Gap. By 5:45 p.m., I made it to the shelter. There were about five people there, and they reported that Captain Dan got a phone call and said he was going to town. I pondered my options and looked at the map but decided to stay put. At 14.8 miles, this had been my longest day. I felt good but didn¢t see a huge incentive to push on. A little while later, Steph and the Patriot showed up too and decided to spend the night. A long while later, Tom showed up and, upon hearing that Captain Dan had pushed on, he decided to also. In the end, there were only 8 of us in a 12-person shelter. We all made dinner and hung our bear bags. At one point, I asked if anyone had heard the news today. They had not, so I informed them. Everyone spent the rest of the night journaling and playing on their phones since we have 3G service. It was a quiet night, and we were all in bed by dark.Tomorrow, I plan a nearo of 3.8 miles into Standing Bear Farm Hostel. I¢d like to do laundry and resupply for Hot Springs, about 30 miles up the trail. I also need to catch up on about three days¢ worth of journaling since I¢m sometimes too busy or too tired to journal each day.