Date: 2016-05-02
From: silars bald shelter

To: ice water shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Day 21- May 2, 2016This morning we got up early and decided we wanted to try to hike 15 miles before it was supposed to rain at 12:30pm. That would be 15 miles all together with 4 miles up a mountain to Clingmans dome, which is the highest point in the entire Appalachian trail, and a tough rest of the day through the smokies, in 5 hours... That is hiking a very fast 3 miles per hour up steep mountains. We knew it was a long shot but we doubled up on our instant coffee packets and headed out. For the first hour we literally ran down a mountain. Not just walking quick, but running. It was exhilarating and fun and dangerous, but we felt great. We even booked it up some steep parts as well. After a few miles we stopped at a shelter to use the privy and there we saw a deer grazing around a few people. We approached cautiously as to not scare it until we realized it was so use to people it wasn't concerned with us at all. We were feet away from this beautiful large female deer and it just walked around like we weren't there at all. It was awesome. As we were leaving, we saw a second deer come over and one of them pooped. And that is how we learned that deer poop like dogs. Squatting. Interesting, right? Anyway, we continued on and almost out of nowhere, the ecology of the woods drastically changed from dry brown oaks to full lush pines and moss covered rocks and logs with so many new kinds of greenery. All of a sudden we felt as if we were in the mystical forests of some of our favorite adventure novels. The majesty of the forest distracted us from the continuous uphill that seemed to never end. We finally understood why the smokies are one of the most visited national parks in the country. It was stunning. The forest continued on and we went forever upward to the highest point on the AT. We got to a few views where you could see mountains floating in the distance in a sea of clouds. It was spectacular. We eventually got to Clingmans dome where a tall cement tower with a circular walkway took you to the top for what was hoped to be a great view but instead most of the mountains were covered by fog. It was still beautiful and fun to go up and two ladies were excited to meet "real thru hikers". After that we continued onwards with a brisk pace tiring to make our deadline. We stopped to get water at a spring that seemed further than advertised in our guide and then made it to a gap even further than expected as well. Somewhere along our journey today we reached our 200mile marker and have now been in Tennessee also. At the gap, there were many day hikers and tourist and we ended up passing then very quickly as we went up the two mile mountain. I was ready to be at the shelter and we didn't have our phones out for the time so we couldn't see how close to rain time it was. Because of this, I was anxious to make it up the mountain. I got in the zone and raced up faster than I thought I could go. We even passed a few through hikers and made it to the ice water shelter first and without getting rained on. When we checked the time, it was 2:40pm. The rain had held off for us just like we were praying for all day. Over the next few hours , over 16 people poured into the 12 person shelter and at least another 10 tented outside of the shelter. It was the most packed shelter I've ever seen. We met some new people like Maddy, mercury, visor, Pocahontas, and pimp daddy long legs. We also saw some old friends like funfact and Captain Planet. It has been raining hard now for a while and there is sure to be some loud snoring tonight. Benadryl and earplugs will hopefully save me. Good night.