Date: 2004-04-02
From: Carter Gap Shelter, NC

To: Wallace Gap, NC
Miles today: 12.8

Every day I try to make more miles and every day I am side tracked by something. Today it was because I hiked with a group and we were fed up with the sub freezing temps, the intermitent snow and rain, and, most particularly, the wind. I figured I would get myself to Winding Stair Gap near US64, but Vagrant suggested we go to Rainbow Springs Campground and call Haven Hotel in Franklin, NC from there.The mornings are particularly harsh. After sleeping okay in my tent, hearing the wind rage through the trees all night, I looked at the Traildrop to read 33 degrees. I went into a sub routine and shuffled around to get warmed first. My fingers were ice. I munched on a candy bar to get my metabolism working. I took Vagrant' suggestion of wearing my boots unlaced for a bit so they'll stretch and warm up. I minimized the morning ablutions, packed my bag, folded up my tent and headed out--determined to reach Franklin before nightfall. This mountain is too cold!Cat had the same idea and raced out of camp a half hour earlier. Saltlick and Vagrant were still packing when I left. But on the Trail we all caught up and split apart at various times.We walked along Big Butt which is a moss covered, tree ridden cliff. You don't want to fall off the trail; its a long way down. But Big Butt did not offer prestine rocky ledges as I had imagned.We had to climb Mt. Albert, a preview of the Whites with ladders and rocky crevaces. An alternate route was offered for foul weather. Although it began to snow, I took the straight-way over the summit--my family would understand.The peak offered a firetower with cloudy views. Shortly after, was the next shelter where I caught up with Vagrant, Saltlick, Roadster, Granny Pants, and Red Hank (these names are fun). We arrived at Glassmine Gap together and celebrated 100 miles by taking many pictures of each other.The next leg was--oh goody--another long decent into Rock Gap and the Walace Gap. This was highlighted by the ingenius placement of the Rock Gap Shelter privy so that the opening faces the Trail. Very amusing.Finally at Wallace Gap, our choice was to hitch or walk the one mile on paved road to Rainbow Springs Campground. We had gone a tenth when my ears perked up to the harmonious sounds of a pickup heading our way. Now an expert, I stuck my thumb out with pleading acuity. The driver stopped, let us pile into the back. "You are the hitchhiking queen, Sheila" Vagrant remarked.Our elation was only smudged by seeing Cat walking with Wags along the side of the road. Saltlick yelled to her "Why you walking?" as we passed. She seemed exasperated but met up with us shortly to say we were very lucky. She didn't see a car for twenty minutes.We are now in Franklin, NC. As soon as we pulled into the hotel parking lot, other hikers gathered around asking what the weather was like in the mountains. Most had been holding out for days. I'm sharing a room with a woman who had stayed here for four days. She's determined to leave tomorrow.I feel pretty good that I faired the foul weather for three days and two nights, but I'm also glad to be safe in this warm hotel. The temps never went above 35 today. I hope that Walksalot and others are okay out there.