4/7/01
Oh, sunny day, oh sunny day! These three words finally came true today, albeit only for a few hours. At 8:30 a.m. Buzzard and I left the shelter to climb Clingman's Dome. We made it to the top in just a little over an hour. The fog was just beginning to burn off but we were able to get some nice views of the Smokies from the top of the Dome before clouds resumed. Another quick four miles to the Mt. Collins shelter and it was time to say goodbye to the Buzzard, Polo, and Marine One as they all pressed on and I stopped for the day. I was at the shelter by 11:20 a.m., by myself for more than 3 hours before anyone showed up. It was very peaceful and quiet and I sat for an eternity watching the birds and rodents search for scraps in and around the shelter. At the same time, I felt down that I wasn't hiking forward with the gang, especially on such a beautiful day. The plan is to meet Pat and Creeper tomorrow morning at Newfound Gap, approximately 5 miles down the trail. I'm cautiously optimistic that Creeper will be able to hike, because tendonitis is so slow to heal.
This afternoon River Wizard came to the shelter, and shortly thereafter Cliff (from Boone, NC) and Hip, then Buck from Virginia, and finally Lollipop and Kodiak AK from Montana and Alaska made it to the shelter. Just after I finished dinner and my banana pudding dessert, a day hiker walked in. He was a thru hiker from 1994 (Jive Turkey) and he had some goodies to share with the group as trail magic. I had missed out on trail magic earlier because I hiked so early across Clingman's Dome...everyone else here in the shelter tonight was treated to cheeseburgers, chips, sodas, etc. at the Clingman's Dome parking lot for lunch! Sorry I missed it, but there will be more opportunities down the trail! It was a nice short day on the trail and I really enjoyed getting close to nature this afternoon. I kept waiting for a bear to traipse through the shelter site but it didn't happen, although the signs say there has been a lot of recent bear activity here. Tonight it's early to bed so I can get an early start to the Newfound Gap tomorrow morning. Gosh, it was so nice to see the sun and the surrounding ridges today while hiking. I don't care for hiking in the fog all day not being able to see what's ahead. Lots of fun conversation and we're making a fire in the fireplace at the shelter...even though it was 80 degrees in the valleys it's pretty nippy here at 5900' tonight. Happy hiking! Today's stats: Low: 42 degrees, high 55. Foggy then partly cloudy. Mileage: 6.3. Cumulative mileage: 199.3.
