Date: 2010-04-25
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: US 19E - Mountain Harbour B&B
Miles today: 9.2

High winds, wet fog and a swaying barn structure was the story of the night. Even in the valley/gap where the Overmountain Barn is still experienced high winds. The gaps in the side boards let in some of the wind. The fog/dew made any surface wet. I was warm all night even though my bag's surface was wet.There were about 20 people in the barn with only 4 thru-hikers, Eddie, from Germany, Cricket, Mr. Fusion and myself. There were three tents set up in the barn's lower level. Eddie had bad shin splints and was going to get a ride to the hostel by Candy Wrapper, I think.I packed up, visited the privy, said my goodbye's and left. With the group getting up around 6:30, me up at 7:00, my departure after 8:00 was a late morning.With the fog starting to lift and some sun trying to break through, I think it is going to be a good hiking day. Two balds today, Little Hump and Hump.Climb up Little Hump was good. Fog still lifting, more sun is peaking out. At the top, the trail got re-routed to go down the side. You can see the old trail go straight down but for some reason they decided to switchback it down the other side. Odd. Once down, the start up Hump began. No switchbacks, straight up and straight down. Mostly rocky, gullied tread. Still very windy but a bit warmer and mostly clear. Took my pics and continued.With the exception of the last mile, the trail tread was very rocky and rooty. Many areas are similar to parts of Pennsylvania.Arrived at US 19E about 11:45. Started the 0.3 mile road walk to the hostel. Of course, once there, I was told the hostel was full but the owners were stacking hikers in the B&B rooms. I got 1/2 a king bed. Eddie was in the smaller bed. He got his ride to the hostel. With my spot secured, I walked back down to the bunkhouse. They had noodles there for $1.50 so I made one for lunch. Yum. Once again, as it turns out, the bunkhouse is already full with the people who were there from last night. I was told there were 23 people who stayed for breakfast. The $9.00 breakfast is a feast for hikers. Several egg dishes, ham, fresh oven cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, juice, toast, etc.I found out there is a slack option of the 24.4 miles I want to do tomorrow to Dennis Cove Road. The bad thing is it does not go out until later in the morning. A start time of 10:30 to me is late for a 24+ day. Sure enough, the hikers were coming in after 7:00. With Kincora at the day's end and with the late start, I decided to hike it with my pack tomorrow. With an early start, even with the rain, I should be in by 5:00.The rest of the day was snacking and talking with Eddie. Being from Germany, he put his life on hold to hike the AT. He is depressed with the fact his leg is hurt. Shin splints. He bought all his gear for the hike. He did the Neel's Gap shakedown, paid $400+ for new gear, and the $160 to ship back his other gear back to Germany. He prepaid his bills for a year. The thought that he may be done is really bumming him out. He is going to do the slack tomorrow to try his leg without his pack weight on it.The day is getting late. Once in the room, a hiker called Patches out. When he came back in, he said there was a space in the trailer and he was going to sleep there. I saw the girl claim it already but he thought he had the inside scoop. OK. With the group here in for a second or third night, there is no inside scoop. The new arrivals don't stand a chance.Time for bed. Still a nice stay after a nice day.Life is good. Hiking is better!!