Date: 2009-03-27
From: US 19, Wesser, NC (N.O.C.)

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: moderate rain

Out early today for a short day....7 miles, all uphill! Getting out early allowed me to enjoy 90 minutes of rain-free warm hiking before it started raining....for the rest of the day. My original plan had me zero-ing today here at the NOC and I might have if it had been nice out. It is a very neat place. But after thinking about it over dinner, it made more sense to hike out and zero at Fontana Dam right before entering the Smokeys (a good 8-day stretch).I was going to do a tennis-shoe test between the NOC and Fontana Dam but had some logistical problems, so no test. I think it is actually a good thing. More on that in a future entry.I really felt like I had the woods to myself this morning and it was pleasant hiking even in the rain.OK. The Trail coming out of the NOC was very well maintained heading North. I took a picture of one of the sections to give you an idea of what they do to "sure-up" the trail in spots susceptible to erosion and wear. The Trail coming into the NOC from the South (yesterday) was in pretty bad shape. Maybe if I end up living in this area I can volunteer some time and energy, and work on this section....it needs some TLC. I was wondering what I was going to do all day showing up at the shelter at 2 pm. Well, it was a full shelter (two-levels)(like 14 of us), and there was plenty of conversation and games. Nicky taught us a card game called "Kent" which was very fun.Today I met Dan (Boulder, CO) and Elizabeth (Wash DC). They are a very nice couple who are planning to thru-hike. Elizabeth's spirits were a little down as she was tired of being cold! I hope they hang in there. They hike faster than I do, so I should be able to track them in the Shelter Register's if they continue to sign in. Elizabeth's parents thru-hiked the Trail a couple of decades ago.I also met Nicky today who is also thru-hiking. Right now she is hiking with 3 of her friends who are only with her for a few more days.A little bit about Gaps and Mountains: Obviously "Mountains" and anything with mountains in the name (e.g. Blue Mountain Shelter) are at the top of a mountain. Gaps are the low spots between two mountains and that means that Sassafras Gap Shelter was a shelter at low elevation. Well, a gap with a road/highway associated with it is usually bad news. The terrain going into a gap with a road is always steep going down...and steep coming back up out of the gap....both "OUCH".OK...just for kicks...here is who is at the shelter tonight: Dan and Elizabeth, Sunnuke, Nicky, Kelsey, Jessica, Christine, Hodgepodge, Fruitbooter, Goof, Mr. Buffalo Man, Plunger, Mr. Right, Dee Dee, Cathy and I'm sure I missed one or two here!I was going to put a little piece here about how I pack my backpack, but instead I'll just say that everyone has their own style. I think the key to this whole thing is to know who you are as a hiker and pack accordingly and you'll be fine. I like to be warm, dry, and comfortable so I pack accordingly. An ultra-lighter would be appalled at some of the stuff I have. I have already seen every weight of pack from 20 lbs to 70 lbs, and they're all getting down the trail. I've seen all kinds of tents, shoes, stoves, clothing, packs.....the key is finding the combination that keeps you moving down the trail.