Date: 2003-04-01
From: Sams Gap

To: Curley Maple Gap shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The plan was for me, Hot Poles, and Space Monkey to get shuttled back to Sam's Gap so that we could fill in the section from here to Spivey Gap which is 13 miles. We were planning on either camping in the Gap or attempting to hitch to the Nolickucky River which is where the Trail heads north. Miss Janet shuttled Java and Dimples to Spivey Gap where they would just head north. They left at about 7:30 a.m. I assumed we would get a pretty early start but that did not materialize. Miss Janet tries to do 10 things at once for everyone and is always busy. She is the sweetest lady. She ended up doing some work around the house and also playing an April Fool joke on us. She called from Sonic saying that her van broke down. I knew it was a hoax. Most others went down the block to find out she was lying. She bought all who were tricked free breakfast - so nice of her. She didn't drop us off until 11:30 a.m. She was on her way to Springer Mountain to shuttle Baltimore Jack for the start of his thru hike. All weekend he was at the house cooking up huge meals for us - he knows what hikers like after hiking 7 years in a row. I started out ahead and never saw anyone again. The climb up Big Bald was six miles long and made tougher by the snow and slush. I felt good though and trudged up it in good time. Took a break at Bald Mountain shelter, no one there. Left at 2:45 and made it down to Spivey Gap at 4:40. I was slipping everywhere on the downhills. I fell a couple of times and got quite frustrated. I waited for an hour and a half and no sign of the guys. I started to get cold, worried and lonely. I figured they were slow going and stayed at the last shelter. Only one car had passed the whole time. This road was seldom used. I just sat down and read my book. At almost 6 o'clock a pickup rolled by and I put on my most pathetic face. They stopped! The two nice guys dove me all the way to the river where I had left off yesterday. to my surprise I saw Grunt, Red, Squirts and Redstreak. They were all staying at Uncle Johnny's Hostel. I pressed on at 6:30 and was really trying to move. Had to make another 4.2 miles . When I got to the road to the campground, I saw Heald and his dog camped out. By that point it was almost 7 and the smart thing would be to stay with him. Instead I pressed on as darkness settled. My glasses were fogging and I could barely see. It got completely dark and I was powered by headlamp. My new lamp is so bright. I kept climbing up. I was soaking wet, exhausted and prtty much outta water. I was surrounded on both sides of the Trail by bushes. I noticed a clearing and wondered if it was the shelter. I called out "Hello" and heard Dimples say, "A-Train. Is that you?" I was so relieved. I pulled in at 7:45 in pitch blackness. Shifty, Eggman, Java and Lunchbox were also here. I cooked dinner and savored every bite. Today was certainly a unique day. I didn't expect to be night hiking by myself but things never seem to turn out like you plan out here. It was so pretty today and it was wonderful to be back hiking again, but I was also so lonely today. I am used to having a whole group nearby and today I was totally alone. It may not be something I do again, but it was an experience. I'm so glad to be back with some of my friends.