Date: 2009-05-10
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Campsite close to Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers! My legs were pretty sore after some tough climbs yesterday, so I took my jolly old time while people left camp. Tenting always means that it takes extra time to pack up one's belongings and get ready, especially when it had just rained the night before. After a large oatmeal breakfast, I was on my way at 10 am and thoroughly enjoyed the initial views. I caught up to Scavenger and Strider2 rather quickly and then Scavenger and I hiked the rest of the day together. Before we met up though, I had to cross underneath the heavily traveled Interstate 26 at Sam's Gap. I'm not entirely sure where the highway actually leads from or goes to, but I do recognize it as a busy thoroughfare of the United States. It was a marvelous day and we both stopped to enjoy the views and the sunshine on several occassions. Over lunch, we stopped at a creek during the ascent up the mountainside. While there, we indulged in some packaged mango chipotle and tomato basil flavoured tuna on tomato basil tortillas. Fue riquisimo! Being the scavenger that Scavenger is, he shared with me his large assortment of food and snacks, which also consisted of mint wafer cookies, BBQ potato chips, and beef jerky - a meal made for champions! Most of his food had been scavenged out of hiker donation boxers at various hostels and hotels. We both absolutely enjoyed the lunch and the sound of running water directly next to us. It was just such a beautiful day and we kept remarking how wonderful it was to be out here hiking the AT. Freedom!!!Ascending several miles further, we arrived at Big Bald at 5,516 feet - the highest point on the AT since the Smokies. The Big Bald provided a 360-degree panoramic view of the endless mountains in each direction. Again, the clouds were so close to you that you could nearly reach them with your fingertips. Scavenger and I sat up on the ridge for several hours with our socks, shoes, and shirts off just taking in the moment and really appreciating nature's beauty. I also tried calling a few friends and, undoubtedly, the most important person of the day - my mother! After enjoying the bald, Scavenger and I hiked on several more miles and decided not to push it to the next shelter as darkness was creeping up on us and we were dying to get some good food in our tummies. We had hiked a very respectable 15.3 miles in some very good time - even after sitting up there for several hours to enjoy the warmth and sunny conditions. We quickly set up camp, collected some 'dry' wood, and then started a campfire a short time, thereafter. There is just something about campfires and the outdoors that is just ever-so-beautiful.My dinner consisted of a TON of food: Yukon Buttery Gold instant mashed potatoes (1 packet), Roated Garlic instant mashed potatoes (1 packet), a packet of sardines, and some cheese and broccoli Knorr's sides that Scavenger and I bartered to one another. By the fall of the evening, both Scavenger and I were completely stuffed and I nearly had to ask him to roll me back to my tent. We just hung up our bear food bags on a large branch, but we really didn't do the best job since I bear could still just come climb a tree, lean over, and snatch it from a tree. Hopefully not. As I am writing this, a pack of coyotes have begun yelling and shrilling in the cold night's air. We'll be heading into Erwin, TN for some fresh fruit and vegetables tomorrow and to update this blog! I'll also try to upload some videos if I can, but don't forget that the camera is broken. Good night to all and sleep well!