Date: 2010-03-20
From: Gaitlinburg, TN

To: Gaitlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0

After leaving Franklin we had five days or so of rather wet and cold conditions. Constant drizzle/rain and super moist conditions as we slept in cloud banks every night. If anyone was the ask me what North Carolina looks like, I'd unfortunately have to say, white, wet, and windy, because mostly that is all I saw.Nothing dried out. Stopped for resupply and lunch at the NOC on the 14th. Hot lunch was very much appreciated, because it had snowed on us the night before. I didn't know it then, but the drizzle down in the valley, was a nasty bit of snow as well, coming up the 3,000 foot vertical gain leaving the NOC. Again, was snowed on that night as well. It was incredibly cold. The next morning the shelter without gloves figuring my hands would warm up quickly. As soon as I got back to the AT the wind was whipping and snow flurries were still about. Within second I could not feel my hands. I dropped my pack and grabbed my gloves as quickly as I could, though getting them on was tough in the frigid conditions.On the 16th I made it into Fontana Dam for resupply and laundry. Once again, a very large lunch was ordered. The Fontana Hilton was great. Very nice shelter, and a bathroom with running water and a shower next door. Couldn't have been happier with that.Currently I'm in Gaitlinburg, TN. The weather has been better since I have been in the Smokies, the hiking however, has not been easy. It has been incredibly uplifting to be able to see where I am headed, and where I have come from, as well as the surrounding area. With the added elevation, the snow is back in full force, unfortunately. Yesterday I climbed Clingman's Dome, which was very cool. The views on the way up, with the glow of the sunrise against the mountains were incredible. Had lunch with Flying Turtle and Cameron on the lookout tower at the summit. It was great. From that point an access road gives hikers the option of bypassing six and a half miles of the AT. Most hikers have opted to take that route, because of the snow on the descent from Clingman's. The three of us decided to tough it out, and push through. Apparently only about 4 guys had taken this route yet, and so the day quickly turned into a disaster of post holing through five feet of snow at times. What should have been a relatively easy 12 mile day into town, became very difficult. My knees have been giving me trouble, and they are not thrilled that I subjected them to yesterday's activities.I also managed to catch a cold yesterday morning. So I have to contend with a runny nose and added aches and pains. I feel rather run down currently, but I know I'll bounce back as soon as this cold lifts. From this point on elevations will start to decrease as well and spring should (who knows with this year's weather) set in so conditions should improve.I plan on hanging around town all afternoon. I need to go grocery shopping yet, and picked up some fuel in order to make it to Hot Springs. I'm thinking pizza for lunch, eventually a hitch back to Newfound Gap and then I'll just nero into Ice Water Spring Shelter (I'm not sure if this shelter name is supposed to be enticing, it certainly does not seem like a place I wish to stay in) for an easy three and a half mile day. My knees need the rest.The cast of characters I have been hiking along changes every few days. It seems I'll be with a group for half a week, and then either get ahead or behind them, and join a new bunch for a while. Haven't met a single person I haven't liked, though, so I can't complain.Oh, and Mellow Yellow, is officially my trail name.