I got back from Dahlonega late the previous evening so I slept in a little this morning. One of the first things I did was weigh myself. I started out at 235 lbs. I weighed in this morning at 215 lbs. So I’ve lost 20 lbs in 3 weeks. Yikes! Though one of my goals with this hike was to lose weight, this much this fast can’t be healthy I thought. Needless to say I need to eat more.
I took care of some personal business and then started planning my day. With me getting such a late start on the trail today I could only plan for about 12 miles before dark. As always I used an app called GutHook to figure out my starting point, ending point, check for water sources, elevation changes, and find the shelter I’d stay at this evening. Because of my weather / pickup mishap after Clingman’s Dome a few nights ago, I wasn’t able to get any work done yesterday. Which meant I’d need to take a zero on Monday to catch up on work related items. So I called and secured a pickup off the trail for tomorrow night.
I finished packing my gear and caught a ride back to New Found Gap. It was Saturday, a weekend day, so it was packed. There were people everywhere. I had never seen so many people at any trailhead before. It was beautiful day with temps on the 50’s.
There’s an amazing view from the parking lot so I took a few pics before heading towards the trail. On my way I saw the public bathroom I spent the night in the night before last. People were zipping in and out after going to the bathroom. It seemed much more lively today compared to when I last saw this place. I had to go to the bathroom myself so I went in…the men’s room this time of course ?
I must have passed 100 people in the first 4-5 miles. I was really surprised at how many people were out. I was also really surprised at how much snow was still on the ground from the snow storm that hit us a couple of days ago. With temps in the 50s-60s I thought it would have all melted already. I witnessed 10-12 people fall slipping on the ice and snow. Having done the same myself coming down Clingman’s Dome a few days ago, I hiked extra carefully this time.
I met a family with two young kids hiking. They could tell I was a long distance hiker and asked how far I was going. I replied with a smile, “to Maine.” They excitingly started asking me a bunch of questions. One of which was, “what inspired you?” I told them about my friend, her story of being abandoned at birth, Show Hope, and how an organization like this helped her find amazing parents to raise her. They asked how they could donate. I told them how to find me online. They donated later that day. I’ll be honest, it gets tough out here in the woods, and these little acts of random kindness from complete strangers, certainly puts a little pep in my step! Thank you ?
When I map out my plans each day I often check out what sights I’ll see as well. Because I was a little rushed this morning, I didn’t do that this time. I had no idea what the day had in store for me. I passed a Ridge Runner and asked her where everyone was headed. She said “Charlie’s Bunion.” The name sounded familiar. She asked if I was thru hiking and I told her I was. We chatted for a bit and parted ways.
Shortly afterwards I came up to a shelter. I decided to stop in there to see if I knew anyone. I saw the father and 3 son team I met and camped with before Clingman’s Dome. We were excited to see each other. They waited a day before climbing Clingman’s Dome to let the snow storm pass. They said it was beautiful the next day and got some great photos. I told them about my experience that night (spending the night in the bathroom), and they laughed and said, “we heard.” I guess word travels fast on the trail ? They asked if I saw the Ridge Runner. I told them I had. They said she checked them all to make sure they had thier passes for the smokies. Strange, she didn’t ask to see mine. I’m glad she didn’t because I didn’t have it on me ?
I came up to a sign that read “Charlie’s Bunion”. I immediately recognized it. I’ve been here before. A few years back, myself and a few buddies (Matt and Brandon) camped and hiked in the Smokies. This was one of the places we hiked to. There was no one here this time. I had the place to myself. I stopped and took several photos and some videos. The views were breathtaking.
I hiked by myself for most of the day. Passing day hikers quite often though. I ran into another thru hiker finishing up his lunch. Shoeless was his name. He hiked 30 miles of the AT without shoes. That’s how he got his name. A young guy from Indiana. His monthly budget while hiking the AT is $500. Most people budget $1k. He said he just needed food and a shower every few days. He planned on avoiding shuttles and hotels and food in town whenever possible. This is where things can get expensive. We hiked together for the rest of the day. Chatting and stopping to take photos in several places.
It was getting dark when we arrived at the shelter. There was snow everywhere still. This is not ideal for setting up tents and sleeping on the ground. So we hoped there would be room in the shelter for both of us. As we came down the hill another hiker came out to great us. His name was “city”. He was from Atlanta. Funny guy. I said, “you must be part of the welcome committee?” He laughed and said he was. He also informed us he was willing to eat any food we didn’t want ?
There were several people outside the shelter cooking and eating dinner. We asked if there was room for two more? They didn’t think there was but said we could look. We entered the shelter and we were in luck…there was room. Shoeless grabbed a spot and I started to unpack my stuff in a spot as well. As I was doing so I heard someone shout out from behind me “Wolverine!?l I turned and there was Kung Fu siting by the fireplace. We camped a few nights ago together. We caught up on what had transpired over the past few days. She had heard about my bathroom debacle as well. We laughed. While distracted another hiker came in who was already setup in the space next to where I was setting up. He hadn’t unpacked his stuff yet though. The space I planned to sleep quickly vanished with the others hikers stuff. A bit bummed I grabbed my stuff and headed out into the snow to setup my tent ?
I setup my tent pretty quickly, grabbed my water bottles, and stumbled down the dark icy trail to retrieve some water. I returned to my tent to cook and eat dinner. This was actually the first night I cooked a meal since starting the trail 3 weeks ago. I’ve been living off of sugar free protein bars and beef jerky. Hence the 20 lbs I’ve lost. I knew I needed to eat more, certainly more carbs, and something hot would keep me warmer at night too. It was a good change.
I climbed into my cold sleeping bag to warm up. Between the crackling sounds of a fire I could hear the strumming of guitar strings coming from the shelter just up the hill from where I lay. I fell fast asleep.
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