Date: 2010-04-01
To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 100.0
Weather: clear sky

Checkin' in from Erwin, TN.Had a bit of a cold/wet spell the last few days, but things have cleared up, and the weather is absolutely gorgeous. Warm and sunny. It should be enough to get me over and through Roan Mountain(a 6,000 + foot mtn) with little trouble.It's also been nice to finally dry out some gear.Had an interesting day on the 28th. We planned to do a 14 mile day, and camp out just below Big Bald in order to stay sheltered and warm, and summit that the next day. Weather proceded to get worse and worse throughout the day, however. Drizzles, turned to rain, turned to pouring rain, turned to slush and no visability. In the cold I began to worry seriously about hypothermia and frost bite, I was wet and cold by this point. With the weather I wasn't able to find any sort of suitable camping area, and so continued to climb until I had accidentally summited Big Bald. True to its name, it was a big bald, complete with very high winds, sleet, and snow cover. This wasn't the place to stop either, so I trudged on towards the next shelter. I found Hobbot on top of the bald struggling to pitch his hammock as an emergency bivy and convinced him to head to the shelter with me. We managed to get there just after dark, cold, wet, and miserable. Once again, Mother Nature wins.Came into Erwin yesterday and camped out at Uncle Johnny's hostel. Not a bad deal, especially since the thru-hiking crew has sort of expanded exponentially in the last few days. So, it was nice to get some hang time with everyone.I figure I'll give a run down of who I have been doing most of my hiking with/around the last week or two. Cookie Monster, a very cool guy just out of high school. Flying Turtle, headed to graduate school in the coming year. Hobbot, a computer softer engineer who specializes in robotics and artificial intelligent. Camp Chair, a chef who has so far carried a chair with him the entire journy. Andreas, a German guy just out of school getting ready to head to university. Walt, an ex-cop, and his dog Patches. J.P. and First Man, two biking enthusiasts. Grandma, a cool cat from Atlanta, named for taking his time getting packed in the mornings. Butter, she was Stevie when I met her, but after eatting a chunk of raw butter, saying that she needed the calories, she was given that trail name. Sugarbush and Dethmarch, and their dog Cole. Phineas, who unfortunately needs to leave the trail for two weeks, but is trying to get back on as soon as he can. And Mouse, who I had hiked with my first week, has finally caught up with me, so that has been a pleasant surprise.Most of the thru-hikers seem to agree that it's important to bring a little bit of home on the trail. Holidays are one way to do it. On Saint Patrick's Day Cookie Monster and Turtle had holiday surprises. And for Easter, Cookie Monster decided it would be a grand idea to hike out a nine pound ham which we will be cooking tonight for our Easter dinner. I'm already salivating. Sometimes, we go right ahead and make out own trail magic.It's been a month since I hit the trail, and I have to admit that it's been tough. It's been very difficult. However, I have to admit, I haven't been this consistently happy for years. It's not an easy way to live, but it's certainly not a bad way to live.Also, my brother got my first memory card and uploaded a few choice pictures to the blog for me. So, check them out. Thanks again, Doug.Right now, however, it's time for some lunch.