Date: November 20 2000
Trail Day: 173
Miles Today: 21
Location: Derrick Knob Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1932
ECT Mile: 2633
Last night was extremely cold. The over night temperature was 15 F. There
was a group of 5 or 6 from Detroit and Chicago and another teenager.
Everyone was complaining about the cold. Sometimes its relieving just
to complain. I did not sleep well at all - may have done 2 half hour stretches of sleep. The
shelter sits on top of a ride and catches the wind squarely. The shelter
is built well, so it cuts most of the wind but not all. Both my water bottles
were frozen solid. I did not even dare to get out of the sleeping bag
before the sun was well up. The temperature however improved only to 17 F.
The starting off is the hardest part on such cold mornings. The boots
are frozen and I had to force my feet in. Then came the inevitable
agony of numb feet. Have to get moving immediately to get the body heat up.
I was thinking of just bailing out at US 441 and go to Gatlinburg and do
a O. But once I got to US 441 I was hiking strong and decided to push on.
Then came a climb upto Clingman's Dome - the highest point on the AT at
6643 ft. It was very windy. Looks like they close the road to
Clingman's Dome when it snows. Went up the tower for a view.
I was thinking of stopping at the Silers Bald Shelter for a 17 mile day.
But then I saw 5th Wheel and he said he was going to Derrick Knob
shelter as I had originally planned. So I decided to push it too.
Made it just before dark. There were 2 guys from Tampa trying to get a
fire going. Got into my sleeping bag immediately and started cooking.
Going to be another cold night.
Date: November 21 2000
Trail Day: 174
Miles Today: 17
Location: Birch Spring Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1949
ECT Mile: 2650
The 2 guys from Tampa decided to cut their hike short as it was too cold. Me and
5th Wheel got a late start as we had only 17 miles to go. We passed
the Tampa guys soon. Also met Crazy Kid and Joe - sobo's before we left.
They were attempting to get to Fontana Dam by tonight.
The first 6 miles were quite difficult. After that the trail was much
easier. Saw Crazy Kid and Joe at Russell Field shelter. They had decided
that they could not make into Fontana dam and were going to stay at
that shelter for the night. 5th Wheel and I continued on and got to
the Birch Spring shelter well after dark. At one point I thought I had
missed the shelter and would have to walk another 5 miles to the next
shelter. But then I saw the sign pointing to the shelter and was relieved.
Its going to be another cold night. I was wearing all the clothes I have
- 5 top layers and 2 bottom. I am now set extremely well to get into
Fontana dam tomorrow and go to Dave's place from there. Really looking
forward to it.
Date: November 22 2000
Trail Day: 175
Miles Today: 8
Location: Dave's House, Georgia
Section Mile: AT 1957
ECT Mile: 2658
Got a somewhat early start. The night was not as cold as we'd been told.
Boots were not frozen and the water bottle was only partially frozen.
After an initial bump it was all downhill. In the lower elevations
the snow slowly disappeared. There was a 2 mile road walk near the
Fontana dam. I was very happy to cross the Smoky moutain boundary -
what a test!
I have also now completed my 14th state - Tennessee. The trail had been
running on the border of Tennessee and N. Carolina for about 10 days.
Thus I had started my 15th state without completing my 14th. Now the
14th is done. The trail will enter Georgia in about a week but make a
small run back into N. Carolina.
Got to NC 28. They have a telephone on the notice board that you can
use to call for a ride. I called the Fontana Village Resort and they
picked me up in 15 minutes. Picked up my mail drop and went to their
restaurant for lunch. Had an order of cheese sticks and 2 burgers
for lunch. The waitress charged me only half price for the second
burger. 5th Wheel joined me there for a while. I also called and
let Dave know where I was. He picked me up at about 1:30.
Dave works at Pratt & Whitney. The company is restructuring and is
causing a lot of problems for its employees. Ann and Ginny were at
the house. Took my shower and did laundry. Also went to WalMart and
got a pair of liner gloves and new pants. The older pair have
now torn too much. I was able to find the same style. I was quite
happy with the older ones and was pleased to buy the same style.
Also bought groceries for 1 day.
Met Brian and Donna. Brian is Ann's son and Donna is his wife. They
are expecting a baby in June. Donna showed me the sound photograph
of the baby. It was amazing.
Had a deep sleep. I have not slept much because of the cold.
Date: November 23 2000
Trail Day: 176
Miles Today: 0
Location: Dave's house, Georgia
Section Mile: AT 1957
ECT Mile: 2658
Thanks Giving day. It was quite busy. Everyone was quite busy preparing
while I sat and watched TV. The guests started arriving at about 3:00 pm.
There were 12 or so in all. It was a good feast. I think this Thanks
Giving is one when I was trully thankful. It felt good to be out of the
cold, to sleep in a warm bed, have good food etc. Went to bed at about
10:00 pm.
Shot I
Shot II
Shot III
Shot IV
Shot V
Shot VI
Date: November 24 2000
Trail Day: 177
Miles Today: 0
Location: Dave's house, Georgia
Section Mile: AT 1957
ECT Mile: 2658
Another 0 day. Dave drove me to Highlands and Cashier's. I bought a sleeping
pad. I was loosing a lot of heat through my back. This should help.
A relaxing day.
Date: November 25 2000
Trail Day: 178
Miles Today: 0
Location: Dave's house, Georgia
Section Mile: AT 1957
ECT Mile: 2658
Decided to take another 0 day. The weather was supposed to be very
cold and wet. The system however passed fairly quickly and things
looked better by noon. I will be back on the trail tomorrow.
I am now back in shape. I have rested well and eaten a lot. I hope
I did not shock the others by eating so much. Ann is also a very
good cook. Thanks Dave and Ann for having me over for Thanks Giving -
This was a break I needed badly.
Also a note on their cat - Precious. She is an unusual cat that really
grows on you. She is slightly long, is almost black with some grey/yellow.
She becomes extremely active at about 7:00 am and runs around full
blast. It's almost like a cartoon where you cannot see the cat but
only hear the sounds of the damage she leaves, because she is so fast. I did not like cats before
the trail. But on the trail I have played with some and have become quite
fond of them. Precious is now my favorite cat.
Date: November 26 2000
Trail Day: 179
Miles Today: 11
Location: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1968
ECT Mile: 2669
Got up, had a good breakfast and was back on the trail by about noon.
Thanks again Dave and Ann.
Started off with a long climb. Met Firebreather and Fall Girl at the
first shelter. It was nice to see them again. We exchanged Smoky
horror stories. It looks like the cold and Thanks Giving has delayed
most hikers. I was expecting at least 10 to be ahead of me now but
only 2 are.
Stopped at Brown Fork Gap Shelter and had some Indian food. It was very
good.
