4/10/01
SNOW! Just kidding. I think I passed the last I'll see of it on the ground today until autumn in New England. We crossed multiple peaks today above 6000 feet, but finally came down a little and there's only one more 6,000+ peak (Roan Mtn.) between here and Mt. Washington, NH. Creeper and I rose early (no bear last night) this morning and were on the trail by 7:15 am. It was foggy but warm this morning, but by 10:00 a.m. the hot sun was burning. What happened to spring? From ice and snow to 80 degrees?? No complaints though, we have been rain-free through the Smokies and we're only 8 miles from exiting them tomorrow morning. Even at 5500 feet the first of the wildflowers have bloomed and the trail is becoming more beautiful by the day. I noticed the very beginning of some buds on the trees, so spring is not far behind in the NC/TN high country. We've begun a general descent out of the Smokies and the downs are pounding my feet!! Tonight at the shelter we have met some thru-hikers who are catching up to us...Moose, Skye from NJ, Wink from MO, Loose Goose and Louisiana Bear. There are also three women section hikers and two men weekend hikers at the shelter. The new sleeping bag had it's first night in the wilderness last night and it was happy to leave the store and likes its new owner. I'm a tired hiker tonight so this will be a short journal entry for a change. Stats: Low 50 degrees, high 75. Mileage today: 12.9, cumulative 227.1.
