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May 30, Monday (1904.7 mtg)
Tried
to be quiet this morning, but what the heck - let the jet engine
roar! It is time for some hot breakfast after our usual 5:50 am
wake up call. Packed up and headed out for more downhill toward
the Big Pigeon River. Followed a nice cascading stream down to the
river, I remembered the stream to be somewhat prettier the first
time I journeyed over this section of trail and was a little disappointed
at the lack of awe it provided me this time around. Had the trail
route changed?
We passed under Interstate 40 at a point where there were on and
off ramps and a road under the interstate, and began our climb out
of the valley to the summit of Snowbird Mountain. Nearing the top
of the mountain, I began to remember that there was an observation
tower, and some FAA equipment on the summit as they came into view.
We took some photos from this vantage point and then moved on toward
Groundhog Creek Shelter for lunch. It was at this shelter, two years
ago, that I, and those I was hiking with, awoke during the night
and were
scared half to death by a tiny little mouse. Saw a lone Grouse
with chicks before arriving at the shelter at 11 am after about
12 miles. This left only 10 miles remaining for the afternoon hike.
Visited the privy with the upholstered toilet seat and took a
long lunch to recooperate from the long morning hike.
After lunch we began climbing again, but were treated to the sight
of a snake, and many wildflowers, including a rairly seen Showy
Orchid. We stopped for some pictures along the roadwalk that skirted
Max Patch Mountain, and then had to stop once again on the same
roadwalk a few yards farther along as my pack suddenly lunged to
one side after the shoulder strap came undone at its attachment
point near the bottom of the pack. One of the rings holding the
clevis pin in place had somehow worked itself off sometime earlier,
and finally the pin holding it all together came out allowing everything
to give way. Worried for a while, I surveyed the damage and found
the problem, located the pin in the gravel along the road, and put
it back together with the help of a small piece of wire taken from
the small spiral bound pocket notepad I was carrying where I haphazardly
recorded the pictures I had taken. I uncoiled the wire a little,
then bent it back and forth many times until it broke. I then secured
the pin with the wire by fashioning it into a circular shape similar
to the original. Then we were off again. Of all the things one learns
along the trail, the ability to make due with what is provided is
one of the greatest challenges, and sources of satisfaction through
accomplishment that one can get along the way.
We arrived at our destination at about 4:30 pm. Walnut Mountain
shelter was full! Not only that - it was full of emotionally disturbed
children with their counselors! Now I know why I usually try to
get to shelters early. Chief Dave and Chief Joel were in charge,
and they offered us some of their supper. This made the experience
a bit better, as we used the additional food along with our own
to refuel after such a long hard day. The back of my left foot was
sore again. The majority of the day was nice and sunny. We stoked
up the fire with the wood gathering ability of the children, and
enjoyed the occasionally windy, and mostly cool evening.
Gonzo!
Appalachian Trail Journals ©1983
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