Date: 2008-01-10
From: North of Coleman Gap, NC

To: Ron Haven's Motel, Franklin, NC
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

I looked at the animated weather radar on my cell phone last night before I went to bed. I thought they were wrong when they said to expect rain starting after midnight.It started raining at 12:05am. It was so loud on the tent that I had to get my earplugs out and wear them for a few hours.It rained off and on all night and into the morning.I woke up at 4am and started thinking about coffee.I tried to resist, but finally gave in at 4:30am and stuck my stove outside the tent and brewed 24 ounces of Starbucks. :-)I had eight mini powdered donuts and since I got an email yesterday telling me just how bad my morning diet is, I decided to have half a dozen chocolate covered espresso beans too.I wanted to remind everyone that I'm sending in 4 or 5 pictures each day that were taken on the same day of the journal entries. You can see them by clicking on the "photos" on the left tool bar.This phone has been working out well for sending in same day photos and journal entries.I finished breakfast and packed everything inside the tent, then got out and packed the wet tent.I started walking at 6:10am. It was so dark out that I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.I turned my headlamp on its lowest setting because it was also very foggy out. I could see well enough to look down at the Trail and see rocks, roots and anything else right in front of me, but I couldn't see anything if I tried looking forward up the Trail.I was expecting to be able to see pretty well by 7am, but I couldn't shut the headlamp off till 7:10am. I had to turn it back on whenever I came to a rocky or rooty area and also when I had to cross a few small streams.I was able to leave the light off after about 7:30am. I hadn't been out walking that early on this trip yet, so I didn't know.I always wanted a Packa for any winter walks. I bought one from Cedar Tree just before I left on this walk and today was the first time I've used it.My main purpose for it wasn't really the rain, although that's what I had today and it worked great for that. The main purpose for buying it is for when the heavy wet snow brings the rhododendrons down so low in the Trail that they block your way and you have to push through them and get all that cold wet snow dumped down your back and your backpack.I always thought that was the worst thing to have happen in winter walking and the rhododendrons stretch all the way from GA to NY.I'll know more about how I like it as I get to use it more. The only thing I thought about with it today was when it came time to set up camp in the rain, you would have to choose whether to wear the Packa or cover your pack, but that's usually no biggie since you're probably wet anyway if you've been walking in the rain.It started thundering and lightening all around me at 7:30am and kept that up till about 8am. I was glad when that stopped. :-)I had decided to walk to Winding Stair Gap today and get a ride into Franklin. I'm also planning my first zero tomorrow. :-)I had walked by Carter Gap Shelter without stopping. It was still dark out when I got to the sign that said; "Shelter".I didn't realize I was even near a shelter till I checked out my map again.I kept walking down to Betty Creek Gap, then up to Mooney Gap.The Trail got a little rougher after that with all the rocks and wet roots on the side hill Trail where there were some fairly steep drop offs.I got to the base of Albert Mtn and started climbing that steep bugger.I stopped to catch my breath and decided to call Ron Haven and let him know I'd be coming into town today.He said he'd come pick me up at either Wallace Gap or Winding Stair Gap.I told him I'd call again just as soon as I figured out what I was going to do.I finished climbing that steep bugger called Albert Mtn.The fog was thick, so I didn't bother climbing the firetower for a view.I called Ron from the summit and asked if he could be at Winding Stair Gap at 2pm. I said I'd be there about 1:30, but I didn't want him to have to wait on me. He said he'd be there. :-)The rain had been holding off. It was still mostly foggy and the Trail was wet and slippery.I had 10 miles left and for the most part, it was easy walking. There were a few climbs, but nothing too bad and the biggest was about 700 feet.I walked by Big Spring Shelter without stopping, then on down to Glassmine Gap before heading back up for 3 or 400 feet.I did stop at Rock Gap Shelter and signed the register and ate some snacks.I walked by Rock Gap, then Wallace Gap.I always like that 3 mile stretch from Wallace Gap to Winding Stair Gap. It starts out with a steep climb, and then just meanders around for about 3 miles of beautiful Trail.I started checking my watch to see just how close I was going to be to 1:30pm. That's the time I told Ron I would be there.I walked out of the woods at 1:32pm. :-)Ron and Maricela were there waiting on me! :-) Thanks Ron!I got his picture because he was the first person I've seen in about 2 1/2 days. :-)We headed into Franklin and I got checked into the motel, took a shower and spread my stuff out in the room.I waited till 4pm to go to Cody's Steakhouse and eat a 14 ounce top sirloin, sweet potato, salad, yeast rolls and lots of peanuts.I will survive after all! ;-)I know I pick on my ol' buddy Chief a lot, but he's so easy to pick on. :-) I was thinking about him today and where he'd have been had we been walking together and I figured that just about the time I was sitting down to that 14 ounce steak, the ol' Chief would have been climbing Albert Mtn and sounding pathetic when he'd call out my name....Stumpknockerrrr. Stumpknockerrrrrr.....wait for meeeeeee. (that would have been in his best southern trailer park accent he could muster) :-)Another great day on the Appalachian Trail! :-)