Date: 2011-04-27
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 67.1
Weather: overcast clouds

04/24: Ran into Squatch at the Gran Prix (where I met the shuttle). He of www.walkpct.com fame. We talked a bit about PCT vs. AT. AT is not proving to be as challenging as we expected. Also wondering why people opt for shelters so much of the time, given their shortcomings. Whatever, HYOH, etc. Back on the trail at a bit after 1000. Very nice day today, as opposed to when I came down. Temps in the 70's, partly cloudy. Views! Taking some photos for a change. Environment of evergreens, first time. Could almost convince myself I was out west. Trail grade is more moderate on this side, facilitates more comfortable walking. Had planned to stop at the shelter at 15.7 miles in, but was making good time, so continued on to Cosby Knob shelter, 23+ miles. Ran into Norm again. Big problem - tore tent at tie-out point when I pressed on a guy line getting into the tent. Put some tape on it, but this is not long-term solution, as it will not stand up to stress. S***t.04/25: 0700 start. Reached Standing Bear Farm (hostel) around noon. Used their computer to contact the maker of my tent (Judy Gross at lightheartgear.com - it is the cuben version of the Solo), to see if I could get with her to get tie-out tear fixed. She was leaving soon for PCT Kick-off. She sent me a tent patch that I could pick up at Hot Springs PO, not a great solution, IMO. Also sugar-loaded to the max on the very well-priced snacks and soda at SBF. They are a good deal. And came up with a plan. I was to meet an old friend, who lieves near Asheville, for dinner once I got to Hot Springs. I thought if I hiked fast enough, I could get to HS before Judy left for the KO. Perhaps I could yogi a ride from my friend to Judy's residence (she also lives near Asheville), get her to make some sort of sewn reinforcement. So that's what I set out to do. Used the sugar high to get up and over Max Patch(very nice views, very pastoral), then lengthy downhill from there to a few tenths past Lemon Gap, near a road, where there were lots of tent sites. (I'm out of the park now, so not forced to stay at a shelter.) 29+ miles for the day. 04/26: 0645 start. 14 miles to Hot Springs, hoping I can get there mid-day, contact my friend and Judy, and coordinate the repair visit. Walked in around 1145, but first things first, had to chug some soda and snacks. Phone will not work, as usual, everyone around me seems to be using theirs. Very thankful the library with internet access was open. Sent off emails to my friend Bob, and to Judy. Fortunate both were checking email. Well, we worked out a plan, I would get settled in at HS, Bob would pick me up for dinner at 1800, then we would make the 50-mile drive to visit Judy, after 2100. Judy leaves for San Diego/PCT KO tomorrow morning. So I was VERY lucky to be able to put this together. Bob and I had our dinner, Judy put some reinforcement on the tent, and we will see what happens from here. BTW checked in at the Alpine Court Motel, bit of a dump but not too bad at $44 for one person. They let you use a portable phone, so I used that to call Bob/Judy and confirm plans.04/27 0 day at HS. Mainly to avoid big storm coming in tonight, but also tired from late night last night.Regarding my tent - the cuben version of Lightheart Solo. I would not recommend purchasing this tent. I thought that that since the mfr (Judy) has been selling silnylon versions for a while, it would be simple enough to make a cuben version. But it seems that what I bought is really at the R&D level of quality, not yet ready for prime time. (There are other issues with the tent that I will not go into.) Do you want to fund her R&D?