Subject: AT- April 5
This is a week or so old, but did not get sent out, sorry.
A quick note. Have limited access to a computer.
I am in Hot Springs, NC. Old hot spring resort from the early 1800.
280 or so miles from Springer MT.
We left Gattlingburg on Monday the 30, back to New Found Gap. Di drove us up there. She had been driving us around the area as needed.
It had frozen that night and walked the first 6 hrs or so on Ice. All the rain had frozen so the footing was treacherous. Fell lightly a couple of times. Made it to the shelter 11 miles in about 7 hours. There were 3 short hikes, husband and two sons, plus a bunch of thru hikers. Cold and foggy.
Tues, made another 10 miles or so to the next shelter still rainy, cold, blowing, nasty. Minimal visibility. Lots of purported views but not that day.
Wed. last day in the park. walked down to the pigeon river, under the interstate and to a hikers hostel. Out in the middle of no where. Couple have bought a farm and converted it to a hostel. Bunk house that would hold about 14, a cabin that would hold 6 and space for tent camping. Had an outdoor kitchen, three burner propane stove. microwave, pizza oven, Washing machine was a tub with a hand wringer attached, but electric dryer.
Interesting combination. Put basically sopping clothes in the dryer and then had to run it for an hour or so to dry. Didn't really get things clean, but at least rinsed.
Kind of hippy in appearance. But pleasant to stay for a night.
Thurs. Walked up and up over Snow Bird Bald. Beautiful views, but wind that would blow you off. 10 miles to brown gap where Lefty and I camped.
Friday. Continues to walk over the balds. Max Patch is a 360 acre bald, but visibility was 20 feet and the wind so stiff you had to use you hiking poles from getting blown over. Ended up equally windy on Walnut Mt.
Shelter. 32 degrees, 30 mile winds in a shelter built in the 30s with logs, Needed chinking to reduce the flow of the breeze. Clouds kept visability again to zip.
Sat. Walked to Deer Mt. Shelter, 3 miles from Hot springs. Day continues cold and windy.
Sunday woke up to a beautiful mild day. Unlimited views. Temp in the 60.
Am staying at a hostel in Hot Springs. Been serving hikers since the 40s.
Vegetarian cuisine for supper tonight. Went to Dollar General and bought food for the next 7 days. Will need a sherpa to carry it for me.
Sean and Austin, my son in law and grandson are to meet me on thurs. and walk 4 days with me and then will take me back to Birmingham.
I will be off the trail for almost a month, teaching first in Mexico and then in Pittsburg. MTW has classes for those that want to lead medical teams into third world countries, and then classess for thoese that want to serve on a Disaster Team. with a week between the classes in birmingham and travel time, that will be almost a month off the trail.
Hiking is still physical, but am enjoying it more and more. Still huffing and puffing, occasionally make it over a hump with out stopping. A few spring flowers are sprouting at elevation.
Went to church this morning at the local baptist church for Palm Sunday.
Nice to be with a body of believers on this important day.
All for now.
Love to All
Grandpa Hugh
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