Date: 2016-03-14
From: Hemlock Hollow Inn

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today had a bit of everything. Blues Brother and I started with our .7 gravel road walk back to the trail. The 1300 foot climb through woodsy trail quickly got our attention. There were some new faces when we stopped at Little Laurel Shelter. After telling how lucky we were last night at Hemlock Hollow Inn, we learned that PCT thru-hiker HoHo and his two hiking companions were turned away when they arrived there at 8:00 last night. HoHo was deep into a PCT conversation with another hiker as we moved on. I learned later in the day that this "other hiker" was "Tattoo Joe" or "Tattoo Jack" - after he finishes the AT this year, he'll be the 5th or 6th hiker to do the Triple Crown twice. The Triple Crown consists of the AT, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. Tattoo began the AT March 2nd so he averages 25 miles per day. HoHo admitted that he is considering the Continental Divide Trail next year to complete his Triple Crown, assuming he completes the AT this year. So flying by me today were some outstanding hikers.My notes from past trailjournal hikers indicated that the AT was steep and a bit scary/dangerous after Little Laurel Shelter. I came through this section in good weather so it was steep at times but nothing more. The trail changed from woods to small boulder scampering. This trail is fun but does require sight-specific foot placement. The trail changed again when navigating through Big Firescald Knob. This was the first part of the AT that provided an alternate path for bad weather conditions. Initially the trail just seemed challenging as it moved up and down somewhat tight stone turns. Over the course of this 1.5 mile section though it became very apparent as to why an alternative option existed. Views from Big Firescald Knob were great at the part where the AT became a tight ridge line, narrow but not scary-ledge narrow. But this section was exposed and I wouldn't want to be caught here during bad weather.Fortunately I was out of that section and crossing a bald field when the rain began. Initially the rain was refreshing but then it was heavy enough to require rain gear. Periodic rain fell most of the afternoon. Thunder accompanied a drenching downpour, but at least it was somewhat brief. Briefer still were the episodes of hail and lightning. I'm definitely not a hiker who wants to go through such weather but today's weather was manageable and never felt threatening or even annoying for that matter - it just felt like hiking through this was what is needed to hike the AT.The hiking ended with a period of no rain so "drying by hiking" worked to make me reasonably comfortable as I arrived at tonight's shelter destination at 4:30. I'm here in the shelter with Blues Brother, Sooner or Later, and Going Postal. Today's other hikers moved on an additional 3 miles to stay in a just-opened hostel called "Hiker Paradise". Conversation around dinner tonight was good with everyone ready for tomorrow's better weather. It's been raining now for more than an hour but we are dry. I'll sleep tonight thinking that the rain hitting the tin roof isn't rain but instead is like last night's gurgling creek.