3/18/01 Day 2
Another beautiful day to be hiking in the Georgia mountains! We woke up to 26 degrees and overcast. I fought the cold hands syndrome and Chip packed up and left camp before me as I stood with my hands in my pockets trying to keep warm. I finally got on the trail around 7:30 a.m. The first two hours involved some cold windy hiking, but by midmorning the skies were clear, the temps warmed to the mid to upper 40's, and the rest of the day was gorgeous. We covered a lot of ground today going up and over several peaks. The view from Ramrock Mountain looking east was outstanding.
Amazingly enough, no one passed us today! There must have been 25 or more people at Hawk Mtn. shelter last night, yet no one caught up to us today. I'm not sure whether or not this is a good thing. I fought off blisters on my feet (barely) but have several tender spots which are trying to become blisters. Even so, I was on a quick pace, especially going uphill, and I caught two groups of two hikers. We made fast friends today with Dimples and Freebird, two young thru-hikers from Indiana. We're sharing a campsite with them tonight, and we've seen no other thru-hikers since mid-afternoon. More trail magic today!
A fellow in the parking lot at Woody Gap kindly drove Chip to the convenience store and back, refilling all four of us on water. This saved us lots of time and walking to a spring, and we were very grateful for the lift. It's amazing how much the little things are so meaningful to a thru-hiker. We were exhausted at the time we hit the gap, and were rejuvenated by the kindness and good fortune bestowed upon us by a stranger. Our campsite tonight is at Lunsford Gap, just short of Big Cedar Mtn. We want to take advantage of the fair weather as we hear the forecast is for rain and snow Tuesday and Wednesday. Today's statistics: High 52 and low 26. Miles 13.1. I may choose a trail name. Chip keeps calling me "The Rabbit" since I climb so quickly on the long uphill stretches. We'll see if it sticks!! 8 pm and time for bed !
