Date: 2006-04-18
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Ice Water Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

After waking up to deer walking around the camp we geared up and got ready for the climb to the highest point on the AT. While walking higher and higher I came across a dead mole. It wasn¢t the cute little ones you think of; this one was about the size of a NYC rat. Further up the trail I passed another one. They had not been eaten so we figured that they died from the elevation. (I¢m just glad that Weasels can survive in higher elevations.) Once I reached the top I ran into the whole crew. There were probably 15 or so of us there. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with the climb up to the top. I thought that the trail would have been harder but I'm not complaining. After enjoying the wonderful view of clouds and more clouds I decided that I should push on since I still needed to do 8 miles to where I had to pick up a hitchhike to Gatlinburg to get my mail drop. I turned on the jets and was flying down the mountain. I met up with Donkey and Silver Feet at the parking lot before our hitchhike. We convinced Silver Feet to catch a ride in with us to get good food. She agreed and I went to work. As I walked over to the stop sign I saw a big truck coming. I pulled out my charm and got the ride. We all piled in the back of the truck and enjoyed the views of the Smokies at a much faster pace. Once we got to the Happy Hiker Outfitter, we ran into Salt, Jane, Baro, and Mouse. We decided to get some food together and then hit the trail. Everyone put our packs on and hiked across the street to the Smokey Mountain Brewery. After tasting a few of their home brews and asking for the menu again after finishing my calzone we were off to the ice cream store. While we were walking down the street with backpack and poles we were getting several weird looks. Two surfer-looking guys walked past us. One said, "I think they lost their mountain" loud enough so that we could hear. At this point we have been on the trail for 19 days so we have developed a little bit of cockiness about us. I fire back, ¢no, we know where our mountains are.¢ And right after that Mouse shouts out "Nice pink shirt". At this point I started looking for my pocketknife cause I was certain that we were about to start fighting but the way we smelled no one wanted to mess with us. Mouse called his brother-in-law who was in town on business and he gave us a ride back up to the top where Mouse and I finished our last beers while talking to tourists about the trail. I started hiking with very little light left. After about 45 minutes and it being completely dark out, the weirdest thing yet happened. I saw this light come buzzing towards me. When it got closer I noticed that it was a man running with nothing on but what looked to be a Speedo and a small pack of water on his back. He blew past me and was gone. I was in a state of shock. I just stood there silent for about 30 seconds then busted out laughing. When I got to camp everyone who had been in town was talking about it. The shelter was full so I put my sleeping bag on the ground under the overhang and went to the fire and started talking to Slide Show and Doc Gnarly. I turned in for the night only to be awoken by rain pelting me in the face.Andy