Date: 2003-06-16
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

An interesting night last night with all these people snuggled in together in the shelter!Started out hikng with Anne and Jo this morning. Anne began to fall behind and Jo and I had some good old fashioned girl-talk. We caught up to Hal, and then I fell behind on those nasty hills. It was threatening to rain again all morning; as I was nearing our lunchtime destination (Clyde Smith Shelter) I heard thunder off in the distance. I began to push hard to get there before getting wet again, and I told God I wanted all six of our group to make it to the shelter before it started to rain.¢You control the wind and the rain, God, and you¢ve promised to do whatever we ask in Your name! (John 14:13, 14). I trust in You, don¢t let me be ashamed (Psalms).¢It kept threatening, but I repeated the promises . One time I heard the rain coming, called out, ¢You promised, God! I trust in You!¢ and sure enough, it passed me by. I made it to the shelter in great time and announced to Hal and Jo what I¢d prayed for.Soon enough Toby and Ben showed up; I¢d also prayed that I¢d hear Ben laugh soon after he got to the shelter because yesterday really got him down and his spirits were still low this morning. Within minutes he cracked a joke that made us all smile.And here came Anne, with no rain! I was so pleased I announced again what I¢d prayed and pointed out that it had been answered. None of them seemed terribly impressed, but it was cool to me. I sent a smile and a big thank You heavenward.With Anne¢s arrival came a time for decision making. She¢d gotten another idea as she¢d been hiking along. This original plan was to hit Kuncora Hostel at Dennis Cove on Thursday, and they¢d arranged the mileage so that Thursday was only a six mile day. She proposed staying there at Clyde Smith today and making Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday longer days. Ben was all over that idea, as was Toby and they began to settle in right away.At that moment the sun was peaking out, the raindrops sparkling on leaves and branches. Jo had a hard time deciding what to do, but in the end she changed into her warm dry clothes. Hal and I, on the other hand, weren¢t satisfied. I was really reluctant to put off the long miles, especially since it was likely to mean a 20-mile day on one of those days. Yesterday and this morning were more roller-coaster days, though hiking Roan Mountain loomed ahead of us and I wanted to get it over with. I am not a morning climber.I stretched out super well, doctored my feet and looked over the mileage with Hal. In the end we decided to go for it.Roan was no joke. I thought it was by far the hardest climb yet, especially coming at the end of the day. It did rain on us again, but thankfully not on the actual climb.It doesn¢t happen often, but once in a while I do kick into machine mode. It happened on Albert Mountain. This climb reminded me of the first time I climbed Clingman¢s Dome ¢ southbound, in dense fog and light mist/rain, and at the end of nearly eight hours of climbing. Hal tried to get me to stop and rest ¢ all but ordered me to stop and rest a few times but I was in THE MODE and I just kept going, admittedly doing a fair share of grunting and groaning (which Hal of coursed teased me about later . . . ).There were several times I was quite sure there was no top to Roan Mountain, but when at last we pulled out of the trees and found ourselves at the parking lot and site of the old Cloudland Hotel, I was too numb even to be glad! Of course we had no view. We dropped our packs and went to fill up with good water in the restrooms.Who should come striding across the parking lot but Blue Tarp Man. We¢d heard he was ahead of us again, now carrying a brown tarp. I imagine he¢s unaware of it, but he¢s probably the most famous thru-hiker on the Trail this year. Nearly everyone has heard of him as "Blue Tarp Man" or "Jesus" or his real name Chris, and many have an experience of their own to relate.Soon after we left on the Trail he breezed by us and asked the question, ¢Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?¢ We both responded yes, and with a ¢So have I!¢ and not much of a pause to hear our answer he was gone. Hal was excited to have met the legend.We arrived at the Roan High Knob Shelter, an old fire warden¢s cabin, late ¢ about eight o¢clock. Six hikers were already there ¢ an interesting crew. Two normal college graduates, two potheads, and two weirdoes. Pete, who we¢d spent last night with, arrived soon after us. We cooked a quick dinner and were soon in bed, exhausted, but so glad to have Roan behind me.