Update

Update

      I typed up my last update when about to go to sleep in the cabin/shelter located on the top of Roan Mtn, the highest on the AT. That night was the coldest I have experienced since VT. Will have to ask Renee to bring me my Under Armor base layer because many 6,000 ft plus mountains are still between me and Springer.

     I spent the following night in the Cherry Gap Shelter, MM 1822.8. I saw bear # 13 near MM 1825.6 where I had stopped for water and to cook. Bear 14 ran behind me about 20 yards on the trail. I was listening to WMIT on my I- Pod's radio so did not hear him before seeing him. I happened to put my pack down because the rain started up again and that forced me to turn around. Fortunately he was more scared than I and simply was making his escape. I guess I should use only one ear bud.

 

     It rained all night Sunday and all day Monday. When I reached a paved road at MM 1838.7, Indian Gap TN 395, I hitched a ride into Erwin, 7 mi away, rather than press on to the Curley Maple shelter as I was drenched. The lady dropped me at a Super 8 Motel. The plan now is for a shuttle driver to pick me up at 10:00 and return me to where I got off so I can slack pack down into Erwin, about 9 mi. I will stay in a hostel located just off the trail. 

 

    Staying in the hostel tonight will give me a chance to dry out my socks,  

shoes and clothes again before continuing on. Yeah, the trail is now very muddy.

 

     I hope to spend Wed night in the Bald Mtn Shelter. They are predicting more rain later on in the week but I hope it occurs in the late p.m. and I can avoid it.

 

    My aim is to reach Hot Springs by Aug 13.

 

 

Uncle