Date: 2008-01-26
From: Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg, TN

To: Peck's Corner Shelter, GSMNP
Miles today: 10.4

Today started at 5:30am and I ran a jacuzzi. It's a 2 person jacuzzi, so I fit nicely. I spent about an hour in that just soaking up the warmth of the water. :-)I drank some coffee while I relaxed in that jacuzzi, then I got a few items ready to ship home.The ice walkers are going and that will save the most weight.I replaced those with Yak Trak Pros which weigh about half as much and will probably be more useful.I walked down to the Shoney's breakfast buffet and ate my fill. :-)It started snowing while I was inside, but was done by the time I finished breakfast.I got back to the room and packed all my stuff up.My pack is a more manageable weight now....probably the upper 20's with food and water.I walked down to Happy Hiker Outfitter after I checked out of the room.I shipped 2 1/2 pounds of stuff to my ol' buddy Chief's house.Barrett is the owner of the outfitter and was very helpful. He said he would take that and a couple letters to the PO for me later in the morning.Barrett took my picture for the hiker wall, and then I headed out to the road to hitch a ride back up to Newfound Gap.It was 11am when I started hitching and it was 11:30 when Stewart Crow stopped to pick me up.He's a mapmaker and working in this area now, but said he worked in Yellowstone and someone gave him a ride when he was out hiking one time....so he's paying back the favor. Thanks Stewart! It was great talking to you on the 15 mile ride up the hill. :-)I thanked him for the ride and I started walking north from Newfound Gap at noon.I was surprised by the number of people I saw, but then it was sunny and probably close to 30 degrees.The Trail had been walked on so much it was kind of icy, but it was easy walking....no postholing! :-)I saw about 18 people out walking between the Gap and Icewater Spring Shelter.I had only seen 3 or 4 people all the way from Springer and now there were people everywhere.Most were dayhiking, but there were some out for the night.I got to the shelter and there were about 10 people there. I heard 4 of them talking about how they got in at midnight and the shelter was packed....glad I wasn't there!I put my new Yak Traks on because the Trail snow was so packed down and kind of icy.They worked great! :-) I wore them the rest of the day and decided I like them a lot.I got to Charlies Bunion and got a few pictures.When I left the Bunion, there was some very narrow ridge walking. There were lots of places where it was only a foot away to a long dropoff.I really paid attention to my footing through there! :-)I got warm enough that where the sun was hitting the snow, it was melting some. The shady sides of the mountains stayed frozen though.Winter takes an awesome place like the Smokies and makes them.....awesomer! ;-)I had to keep stopping to enjoy the views of the distant mountains. I ended up taking lots of pictures too.I really am fortunate to be walking through here at this time of year!I kept walking over narrow ridge lines. I could see for miles on both sides of me.I passed a guy by the name of Russ who¢s out for a few days. We talked a while, and then I headed on.He said there was a thru hiker that had passed him earlier and was going to be at the next shelter...and I was heading there for the night.I couldn't think of who it might be.I walked another few miles and got to the side Trail to the shelter....a .4 mile walk on that side Trail.I saw Caveman there eating dinner when I arrived. I had met him at the SoRuck last weekend.There was also a shelter full of other overnight hikers, so I walked out and stamped down some snow and set up my tent.Feels good to be back in my tent! :-)I told everyone I'd be back and talk in the morning. It was dark and I wanted to eat and journal...then get a good long night's sleep. :-)I looked at my thermometer and it's 25 degrees.This was another great day on the Appalachian Trail! :-)