Date: 2015-03-10
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.3

5/10/15, 5pm, 10.3 miles. We find ourselves settled into our tents in Locust Cove Gap. Today was an interesting day. Our stay at NOC ended at 7:15 this morning as we hiked out under headlamps. With daylight savings time our sunrise is now just past 7:30 and waiting until then would take too much hiking time off the day. None of us slept very well because we had all been warned about the upcoming hike. Out of the NOC the AT climbs 3000 ft with very little leveling off along the way and then after a few hundred feet downhill, Cheoah Bald tops out at 5000 ft. Additionally, we were hiking in a foggy cloud cover, that misted and rained on us as we walked. Temperatures were moderate, between 45 and 55 degrees as we hiked, so we were warm in shirt sleeves. We decided last night to hike to the first shelter, 7 miles, ck our time and perhaps make for a campsite further on. The next shelter north is an additional 9 miles and we knew we could not hike 16 miles with the climbs we needed to make. We arrived at Sassafras Gap Shelter around noon, and decided it was too early to stop. We did hope the rain would let up so we could set tents when we camped. Two hours and 3.6 miles later we arrived at a nice campsite in Locust Cove Gap. Unfortunately it was still raining and we were very wet, on the outside. We set our tents, filtered fresh water, and decided 3:00 was not too early for dinner since we were headed into the tents asap. I was hungry enough tonight I ate two dinners. I prepared some mac n cheese, which I would not normally have except someone left it at a shelter so I carried it along. Preparing anything that requires long boiling is not usually part of the plan. I prefer meals I can add a cup of boiling water into and be ready in a few minutes. Nevertheless, I was cold enough the mac n cheese looked good and I am trying to use up my large fuel canister so I can carry smaller lighter ones in the Smokies. My regular dinner for tonight was mashed potatoes with freeze dried vegetables and soup seasoning. I just needed a cup of hot water to prepare that. Consequently, I boiled the pasta, and drained the pasta water into my potato mix. Then I added the cheese powder and some olive oil to the mac and I had two quart ziplocs full of food. Fifteen minutes later I had two empty quart ziplocs. Mmm mmm. Now to get into the tent, while raining, wearing full rain gear, without getting the tent wet inside. Bill and Pete are sharing a larger tent with nice vestibules where they store their packs. Bill climbed in and started getting settled while Pete and I waited for the rain to hopefully let up. It didn't so I carefully sat toward the "wet" end of my tent. The wet end is below my feet. My tent is nearly eight feet long, but just two feet wide. I have a 'dry' area above my head where I keep my clothes, books, iPad and such, and the wet area is below my feet. I settled in, and dried the floor of my tent with hiking socks to minimize the moisture. This was around 3:30, then I changed into warm sleeping clothes, and laid on top of my bag to begin my journal. It is now 5:30, the rain has quit, there is a nice, drying breeze blowing, and I am ready to roll over and try to sleep. We plan to hike oowwwwwww! Sorry about that. We had no time to stretch or walk off the hike so when I rolled over to check tomorrows miles both of my legs cramped in completely new ways. Isn't life just full of wonderful new experiences? Anyway, we plan to hike 11.6 miles tomorrow to Cable Gap Shelter. A shelter stay tomorrow night may give us a chance to dry out, and definitely leaves us with just 5.5 miles into Fontana where we have a room at the lodge Thursday. We need to do laundry, pick up shipped resupplies, and make plans for the Smokies. I was able to print my thru hiker permit for the Smokies last evening at the outfitter. We hope the rain is done for the night so we can pack up mostly dry in the morning, but we shall see. Thats all for now, its time to get some sleep.Silverback.