Date: 2019-04-03
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Got off the trail last night and got treated to a shower, real food and a bed in that order. I'm trying to time my hikes around upcoming rain so had plans to get out early for the next two day section (26 mi) to Nantahala (Nan-Ta-Hal-La) Outdoor Center. But I woke up just too achy to hustle out the door. I could either get a ride to the trail before 9am or after noon. Feeling my bones, I opted for after noon and planned instead on 2.5 days getting me caught in a predicted Friday rain storm. It turned out the choice was a good one. I got to go into town to visit the local AT hiker hostel and outfitter. Three Eagles in town is by and for hikers, so it has the right stuff and they're not over charging. I learned that Top of Georgia by Dick's Creek Gap near Hiawassee GA was charging a surcharge for this time of year asking $45 a night for a bunk! Franklin NC was only $20. This is also the kind of place you want to get your gear because they will sell you the right stuff and help you decide what you need as well as what you don't. As an entire town Franklin has embraced the AT and even offer a discount city shuttle service from the trail crossing into town. Other services are all within walking distance. A town's welcome mat does change behavior patterns. Hikers could be seen everywhere. Three Eagles also had a sign out which caught my attention identifying it as Baltimore Jack's Place. Was it the BJ I knew? Yes it was! BJ was a somewhat ledgendary AT hiker who hiked the trail 9 times and was an irascible old prankster. He died just a year or so ago and I had had the pleasure of hiking with him 20 years ago. We started swapping BJ stories and the morning just flew by.  Soon it was time to go as I didn't want to waste the whole of a beautiful sunny hiking day. I was on the trail before one pm and hoped to put in as much mileage as possible to decrease my Friday rain exposure. What I wasn't expecting was the veritable heat wave. While yesterday I had been snowed on, today I wished I was wearing shorts. Leila was panting behind me. I was eating the miles faster than I had even hoped. Nantahala was at mile marker 136 and I was hoping to reach mile 113 or 115, but with town food in me and a beautiful day I kept pushing. Wayah Bald (Balds are mountains in this area that naturally have grasses on the top) became my goal. It would be a great place for a sunset. It wasn't even sunset and I was there. Just one more mile below at mile 120 and I'd be at a shelter/tenting area. Sweet! I can still make Nantahala in two days! 16 tomorrow, much of it downhill would be doable to avoid getting wet. But while I'm doing fine I'm worried. Leila is not. She seems listless. She's constantly leaving the trail to hide in shade and to lay down which she hasn't done until now. Something is off. Once we get to our overnight she turns her nose at food. Even her favorite treats cause no interest. This is a problem and I am alarmed. She will not make 16 miles in this condition. I'm already considering my options. It was a surprise to me but the top of Wayah Bald has road access with an ADA path and bathrooms as well as a picnic area. Its one mile behind me and over 1000 ft up but if I need an exit point I had it to consider. Lets see what tomorrow brings.Hyper99