Erwin, TN (USA)

I’d hoped to hike last night but life events, weather and the length of the day prevented it. Also, it was NASCAR weekend at Bristol so Plan A, B and C for lodging were a bust - lucky I even found a place to sleep. Got up late this morning and ate a leisurely breakfast with race fans before leaving Elizabethton. Drove south on I-26 to the hiking zone (Spivey Gap In North Carolina). Because I hadn’t had luck with arranging shuttles, I planned to park at the trailhead on US-19W and do my normal out and back hike. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Natures Hostel owner waiting for another hiker when I arrived in the parking lot (0900)! This is one of the rare examples where the early bird missed the tastier worm. After a quick negotiation and the arrival of my fellow section slackpacker, the driver took us back to Tennessee and down TN-352 to Devil’s Creek Gap. Great conversation on the way - the other hiker (from Georgia) was shuttling his way through the first 400 miles of AT one hellish day of driving (Rome to trailhead and back within 24 hours) at a time. He was going to walk back to Spivey Gap but started the day by leaving his truck keys in the shuttle... Fortunately, he realized his error before we left the trailhead. The hostel owner then took me to Sams Gap and I started my hike (NOBO) at 10:00. There were Trail Angels with resupply gear at the trailhead and lots of day hikers setting out on the cool, cloudy day so I didn’t tarry. Started with two layers (50s) but quickly shed down to short sleeves on the initial climb. I ended up passing an older couple and a solo female Thru Hiker - all looking for cell signal - before settling in with a father and son day hiker duo until we reached the first plateau. I ended up talking to them (Rich and Tucker from NYC and ATL, scoping out the Biltmore for the latter’s wedding) for a while and, after they turned around, a trail maintainer who was reducing path erosion nearby. Got started again, bound for Big Bald (prominently visible for most of the day). It cleared up a lot and got warmer. I passed a trio of weekend backpackers who showed me great photos they’d taken of sleeping white tailed deer and eventually caught a pair of Thru hikers (solo guy and solo girl) at the summit. They started their hike in early March. There was also an older lady and her dark Golden Retriever and we all marveled at the view for awhile. It was clear enough to see Roan, Grandfather and Mitchell, along with I-26. Continued alone across the long bald ridge and caught two birders with powerful telephoto lenses. Stopped briefly at the shelter (midpoint) and then continued north again. The ridge (following the NC-TN border) took me through a series of big climbs and descents - I was tired before the end but kept putting one foot in front of the other. Overall, the section remained in the 4K-5.5K foot range - felt good at elevation! Before I was done, I met a few serious trail runners, an ominous looking survivalist-type guy (with an equally scary dog), a family trying to reach the High Rocks and a couple of Thru Hikers in distress. Otherwise, I was completely alone. I facilitated the rescue of some lost sunglasses and that felt good. Wrapped up my unexpectedly long section at 1615 at Spivey Gap after 14 miles. I could only count part because I’d hiked some of this section before but was happy with the bonus miles. Headed back to Elizabethton and cleaned up in my room. Ended up having dinner with Allen (fly fisherman at the hotel) at Amigo Mexican Restaurant - it was his birthday and we had a fun time celebrating. We watched Virginia-Auburn Final Four Game until it ended in dramatic fashion and stayed at the restaurant from 1800 until 2015. We then headed back to the room and I read until it was time to sleep. I'm all set up for another day on the trail tomorrow! AT Today = 12.00 miles / Grand Total AT = 1378.62 miles