Date: 2009-04-19
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

I slept very well last night in the nice soft bed with real sheets, pillows and covers. I decided to skip the free breakfast and get hiking as there is bad weather in the forecast. I forgot to tell you that the trail goes right through the town of Hot Springs. There are AT symbols embedded right in the sidewalk. I didn't have far to walk to get back on the trail. I like it when I don't have to rely on shuttles to get out of town. I also like that the town was small enough to walk where ever I needed, but has whatever a hiker might need. Great little town. Rolo was right behind me and we leapfrogged with each other today. We had a nice view of Hot Springs from Lover's Leap. I started with too many layers and I took off a shirt that I had on under my rain jacket. I left the rain gear on as there is a high chance of rain. The trail was mostly up today since I'm walking out of town. The trail had switchbacks which made it not feel too steep. It eventually started to rain and I passed Rolo as he was putting on his packcover and rain jacket. I was only planning on doing 11 miles to the first shelter. Since we may have a bad storm, I wanted to really try to get to the shelter early enough to get a spot. Once I hit about 3000 ft, I walked into the fog. It got quite thick today and visibility was very low. I stopped at around 11 to eat some lunch. I've decided to switch my breakfast and lunch meals since breakfast was just a bar. The bar is much easier to eat on these cold, wet days then trying to make a peanut butter and jelly tortilla/bagel during the middle of the day. Anyway, Rolo passed me while I was eating and taking my ten minute break. After ten minutes I start getting cold, so on I hiked. I passed many excellent tenting sites today. I guess a lot of hikers leave Hot Springs and just hike out a few miles and camp. I crossed Hurricane Gap and knew I only had 1.3 miles to the shelter. I passed through a really open area with lots of downed trees. It was kind of eerie in the fog. The 1.3 miles were taking a really long time and I was starting to think I had passed the shelter. Ugh! Eventually it came into view. Tiny shelter built for five. It wasn't even one o'clock, but I decided to stay versus having to tent if I moved on. Rolo was already here sitting quietly in the corner watching four section hikers who were trying to put on extra layers. They put their muddy boots and clothes on the sleeping platform which isn't very nice. I just hung my pack outside under the overhang and sat in the corner with Rolo. Matt and Wendy showed up, added layers, got water and ate lunch before hiking on. Shorty showed up and did the same. Finally, Rolo and I set up our stuff and put on more layers. As you can tell with everybody putting on layers that it is getting colder. The rain feels very cold. Tom and John, two section hikers, showed up and claimed two spots. John's son, Sneak, is hiking the trail and he showed up here today. They brought homemade goodies for Sneak which he is really enjoying. Gasper and Tin Man showed up and said they were going to hike further, but eventually decided to stay. So, we are six in the five man shelter. Typical, but we definitely couldn't fit anymore. The sleeping platform is a little short and Tin Man doesn't really fit. It is good to see them again. Tin Man helped me through the really bad day I had in the Smokies. They are French Canadian and they are a riot. Much joking around in the shelter tonight. Many hikers have shown up this afternoon, some hiked on and some are tenting outside. It has stopped raining and we are hoping that we don't get the severe weather. The wind is blowing right in the front of the shelter. A plastic sheet is covering half the front which helps some. The worst of the weather is supposed to be tonight and hopefully out by morning. The shelters in this section are small and I will probably have to tent. I just looked outside and the sun was actually shining for a few seconds. Yeah! Let you know tomorrow if the severe storm shows up.