[at-l] Sam's Gap -> Damascus 11/14 (Day 2)

[thornel at attglobal.net (W F Thorneloe)]

Thought I might interrupt the debates on energy policy to share some hiking 
experiences.

Location: Spivey Gap at 9:50AM Sunday Morning.

I was up early but not out of camp until 8:10AM. This was the coldest day 
of the year thus far, with my camp thermometer reading 28F. I slept warm, 
even though I had trouble getting my Peapod (down quilt surrounding my 
hammock) to close well over my chest. While making hot water for my Instant 
Breakfast, I heard that "pop" as the canister ran out of fuel. Bummer, no 
fuel for dinner either!

The walk is slow due to wet leaves covering slippery rocks and roots. I 
hope I can get back to Miss Janet's for the night. I have jerky and other 
stuff for a cold dinner, just in case.

Location: Miss Janet's 9:30 PM BP 124/78 P 77

I got "motivated" by the loss of fuel and doubly motivated by discovering 
the water at the base of the hill before No Business Shelter was the last 
water before the river. So no water between 2:30 and 5:00.  I pushed on 
over 13 miles today, and had called ahead to the hostel. Miss Janet was 
waiting for me as I plunged off the ridge line down into the Nolichucky 
River valley. I got some nice pictures and the first and only reds of the 
autumn. Temple Hill had a few  trees resplendent in something other than 
brown and yellow.

I met a man and his young nephew (12-13 yo?) on his 1st AT "adventure". We 
visited at No Business Shelter and exchanged photo ops. They were on a 
quick walk up from Erwin and at least as quick a walk back.

I left a pen at the shelter to help entertain the shelter mice and 
occasional hiker. No Business Shelter is named for the opinion of an 
surveyor planning the railway through this valley. He felt they had no 
business on this mountain.

As I descended the last hill, a woman with husband in tow appeared on their 
way up to catch the sunset. He carried a baby in his backpack. She was 
dressed straight out of a J Crew catalogue. Theri eyes went BIG at the 
sight of me in the usual Fashion Police felony fleece garb.

While there were no great views until before Erwin, this was just about the 
most isolated trail section for me yet. I have broken my 11 mile "wall" 
twice. M.J. and I enjoyed BBQ at a local haunt that was too new, clean and 
bright to be really good. No sweet tea. Some sort of citrus-y local soda 
was passable. I probably would have been happier with KFC.

The sectioning couple had fun in Asheville and were keen to get to Florida, 
just unsure how to do it from Atlanta. I don't think they ever heard of 
AirTran.

OrangeBug