Finally some sun! Then it was gone

Quite a bit has happened since we last posted. We were able to get a ride around the Smokies.

After getting past the Smokies we stayed at Standing Bear Farm Hostel. It was a nice rustic place. The next morning we set out early and spent another day trudging through the snow. It was a big day at about 20 miles. We enjoyed the views from the top of Max Patch, a bald that was cleared for grazing long ago. This was one of the first days in a while that we didn't spend the day serounded by clouds and fog and boy were we thankful for the sun and these views.

After that we finished the hike around sundown the shelter was mediocre with pieces of the sleeping platform missing. Normally the shelters have well marked signs and trails for water, privy, etc. so we weren't worried about arriving close to dark. We forgot though that the snow makes it much harder to see the trail and we were unable to find the water source. We were grateful for once that we had snow so we could melt it for water. 

The next day was warmer than usual and we enjoyed hiking on some dirt for the first time since the very beginning of the trail. We made it into Hot Springs, NC in the afternoon and stayed at Elmers hostel. It was a beautiful building built prior to the Civil War. We enjoyed soaking sore muscles in the hot mineral springs.

We slept in rather late and left town around noon. It was a foggy day with a lot of uphill. First day in what felt like a long time we got the pleasure of walking on dirt. 

As we were finishing up the day, the sun started to burn off the fog and we were so happy to be able to see what was around us. The fog was really starting to wear on Hannah. Right as we came over the last hill the fog came back thicker than ever and the trail was covered in snow. We joked that this must be where the shelter is. Then we saw the outline of the roof through the fog. Hannah threatened to throw a temper tantrum. 

We woke up the next day with the intention of hiking 21.8 miles. This would be our biggest day yet. About 20 minutes into the hike Ian realized he forgot his hat back at the shelter and had to go back. We then proceeded to hike non-stop up hill for the next 6-7 miles. This was very exhausting. As soon as we reached the top there was suddenly several inches of snow. This very nearly caused an actual tantrum. We intended to bypass a sketchy part of the trail, but we both misread the guide book and ended up taking the wrong trail. We ended up going 3-4 miles off in the complete opposite direction and backtracking, before finding the correct bypass trail. All of this led to a very long and exhausting day, a lot of extra unnecessary miles, and sadly more soggy shoes and feet. Needless to say we had to stop early, only making it to Jerry Cabin Shelter, 15.4 miles, instead of the full 21.8 miles we were hoping to accomplish.

We woke up yesterday morning under the assumption that it was going to rain most of the day. So we doned our rain gear and headed out hoping to make up the miles lost the day before. By midmorning we were pleasantly surprised that most of the clouds and fog were gone and the sun was out. We were thrilled that the temperature had actually warmed up enough that were down to just our base layers and our shoes were actually drying out as we were walking. This was a whole new experience. 

Unfortunately the weather report was calling for freezing rain starting that evening and continuing through the next day with the temperature dropping to somewhere in the low teens. So we were forced off the trail again. 

We got incredibly lucky though. As we hiked down into Sam's Gap two other hikers came down and offered us a ride to Erwin, TN, where we were planning to go the next day. So here we are at Uncle Johnny's Hostel waiting out another storm. At least there's a friendly kitty to keep us company.

At least someone is enjoying the pile of smelly socks.