Date: 2015-04-14
From: Dirt Road Max Patch

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 20.6

The rain was coming down pretty heavily when the Sherpa dropped off the Iceman at a stile on a dirt road. It was the AT going north over the Summit of Max Patch, a bald of about 1/2 mile of grass on the top of the mountain. It took 30 minutes or more to cross it and then it was back into the trees. The day started at 5am and by 6am we were at the Smoky Mountain Inn diner, a local breakfast place, and by 8am the drop off spot. Worried about hiking 20+ miles kept the Iceman from sleeping all night. It was his first 20 miler. He packed the backpack for an overnight campout just in case he couldn't make it to Hot Springs. There was the possibility of picking him up at Gorenflo Gap road, 13 miles from Max Patch, but we didn't know if it was drivable in our car. As it turned out it was a good road and at 2:30 the Iceman got to Gorenflo where the Sherpa met him. After changing his wet cloths, down to his bare skin, that doesn't include his pants, he dressed in the dry cloths, that we still hadn't unpacked, from the truck of the car. A few pieces of fruit and some cheese sticks and he headed towards Hot Springs. At 5pm exhausted and soaked to the skin, again, the Sherpa met him at Hot Springs. All the hikers were miserable throughout the day. They were cold and wet and one of them was sick. A buddy of the sick hiker was trying to call for a shuttle so he could get his friend to a hostel or other warm dry place. We hope he'll recover soon from whatever he has. The Sherpa spent the day, in between dropping off and picking up, at the Outfitters in town. Town is just a couple of streets. We needed to buy an Eastern Tennessee map, toothpaste, electrolytes in tablet form to drop into water and something to make his Marmot waterproof jacket, waterproof again. After getting some information from one of the employees about the next part of the AT and trails the Sherpa was able to get to by car, it was time for lunch and a beer at the Spring Creek Tavern across from the Outfitters. Just as lunch was being served in walked "no spring chicken", Pat, with her sister and two other companions that she was hiking with. We chatted for a few minutes and then after eating lunch I headed off to see the Iceman at Gorenflo Gap. Back to town after he ate and changed and time to start looking for the next hotel or motel in the next town. Dinner was in our hotel, Iron Horse Station, and we enjoyed the guitar player who played throughout the meal. Hot Chocolate was eating dinner with Zorco (?) and the lovely German man, who's hiking with his wife, (Hansel and Gretel) came downstairs from his room to hear the music. Early to bed to start again on Thursday, that's today. We're getting our luggage in order and putting all cloths that we'll no longer need into one piece of luggage. It's really getting to be too much carrying all of our luggage in and out of hotel/motel, so this will make it easier for the Sherpa since that's my job. Today the hiking boots worn yesterday must be washed and dried and the waterproof overpants must also be washed, all are covered in mud. The Iceman decided to do a nero day today. Remember what that means? Its just a 6 mile hike so it's considered almost zero. He's also flip flopping his hike. He was dropped off at Tanyard Gap on US25/70 at noon and should be back into Hot Springs at about 3:30 or a little before. It's a sunny day but only in the upper 50's and thank goodness, no rain. The folks who live here like the rain because it fills the rivers and that's good for business. There are lots of rafting companies and outdoor sports rule. The Appalachian Trail comes right down the middle of town on the main street. Tonight at around 7pm we must pick up Buffy at Allen Gap which is about a 30 minute drive from Hot Springs. She attended the Appalachian Institute with the Iceman in November. She's an ex-Marine and very fit. The Iceman will be doing the same hike either tomorrow or the next day. We will be staying here for an extra day and then moving on to Erwin, TN. This is a big weekend in Bryson, which is near Erwin, so the hotels are full. There's a Nascar race. Signing off for now. See some of the new photo's.