Date: 2013-04-22
From: Ice Water Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: clear sky

Last night in the shelter was interesting. The policy in the Smokys says that section hikers have to reserve a space in the shelter and have priority over thru hikers. But if there is space in the shelter you have to stay in the shelter. The idea is to conserve as much of the surrounding area as possible. I know many thru hikers who prefer to tent but follow the rules and shelter if its available. On this particular night people chose their shelter spots since their was availabilty and we all started to settle in for the night. At 8 o'clock, almost dark when all the good tent sites had been taken 6 section hikeers came in and thru hikers had to give up their spots to them. I thought there might be a riot in the shelter that night. The section hikes tried to be nice but it was a bad situation. It disrupted the whole shelter for at least an hour and several thru hikers who had hiked 10-15 miles that day and were ready for bed had to give up their spot to 6 section hikers who had hiked three miles that day.It is definitely a flawed policy. It was a very cold night. So glad I had my sleeping bag liner because my 20 degree bag would not have been sufficient this night. My feet stayed cold most of the night. Woke up to heavy frost on everything. It was beautiful but very cold. Had a quick breakfast and hit the trail. The first part of the climb wasnt bad but the afternoon seemed like it was all uphill. I contemplated all day whether I could continue on to Cosby Knob but wasn't sure I was ready for a 20+ mile day. I was exhausted by the time I got to Tri-Corner Shelter and decided to stay. I picked one of the last few spots in the shelter thinking the whole time about the fiasco last night and wondering if I would get kicked out tonight. I grabbed a bite to eat and talked myself into going on to the next shelter. Its amazing how much better i feel after a short break. I am so glad I went on. I saw my one and only bear in the Smokys on that walk. I heard a rustle in the bushes and looked over to see a tiny bear cub looking back at me. I have been told I should fear a cub more than anything else because a very protective momma is very close by. I was on a ledge with a drop off on my right so I knew I wasnt between momma and baby which was a relief. I backed up several steps and the cub just sat and watched me. I tried to get a picture but I don't think I succeeded. I only had my phone with me at the time and I can't make out a bear in the woods in the picture but I am hoping when I can enlarge it maybe I'll be able to see it. It was getting late and I didnt want to be in the woods in the dark so I started back down the trail hollering "shoo bear" along the way. Needless to say, I made it safely past without being eaten by momma bear. I arrived at Crosby Knob Shelter at about 7 and assumed at that late hour the shelter would be full. I was shocked when I pulled the tarp aside and there were only 5 people in the shelter. Two people came in after me so it was a very light crowd. It was the best sleep I have had in a shelter yet. Plus it wasn't nearly as cold as we had descended quite a bit in elevation. Today I am thankful for the motivation to move on even when I'm not sure I should and the sights along the way.