FossilFool
05-13-2016, 13:28
In the first week of May, my 2 sons (20 & 21), joined me for our first section hike on the AT from near Fontana Dam to NOC. Their grandpa dropped us off at highway 28. Our goal was an easy 5.5 mi to Cable Gap Shelter. 15 minutes into the hike, we passed 4 miserable looking women who were stopped catching their breath. They had started at Fontana Dam just a couple of miles back.
We easily made it to the shelter and looked for a spot to hang our hammocks. There were several places that we could have hung them but we opted to get away from the weird looking guitar carrying guy, so took a spot up the hill. Despite our distance from the privy, the breeze blew the stench our way. It was pretty disgusting.
After an hour or two later, the women showed up, exhausted and unhappy. They set up two 2-person tents, as they smoked their cigarettes. That was the last peaceful moment we had until they finally went to sleep. Next morning they were up early, and it was like 4 women at a bar talking loudly and carrying on. Worse, we woke up to the stench of burning trash. Not burning wood,wet burning trash. It had rained, and the trash they hoped to burn wouldn't. They left camp a couple of hours before us, and we passed their fire ring on our way out. It was a mountain of unburned trash, including a full roll of toilet paper. Yes, a roll, like what's hanging in your bathroom at home. No wonder their packs were so big.
Before we left camp, a big dog came strolling around. Owner was nowhere in sight, but turned out to be relaxing in the shelter. Friendly enough dog, but...
We passed the ladies after an hour. We then realized that they would be stopping at the same shelter as us again, Brown Fork. Turned out they were doing the exact section we were. We wondered about the chances of this happening... of all the sections that people could hike, all of the places they could start, and all of the times that they could start, they had to do the exact same section at the same time as us. Who did I screw over in my past life to deserve this?
Brown Fork Shelter area was nice for hammocking. Except for the ladies yelling across the campsites to each other. They actually brought a bottle of rum with them. Rum. Was it worth the weight? As they were leaving the next morning, before us as usual, I saw an unopened pouch of Mountain House Chicken and Rice. I asked them if they forgot it, their reply "Can you just put that in the fire pit for us?". Really?
There was also a pile of feces right next to their campsite, just 20' uphill from the stream where we got our water. Can't be sure it was from them, but it wouldn't shock me. Better use those filters and/or purifiers!
We passed them again pretty soon. Next stop was Sassafrass, but the gods were with us. One of them could barely walk due to blisters, and the weather was supposed to get into the 30's that night, not good for fair weather car campers. The highway at Stecoah Gap was on the way, and they planned to 'tap out' there. Praise Jesus. Grandpa was waiting there for us with fresh fruit, enough to share with all the hikers who were passing through at the time. Trail magic. He also had some warmer clothes for us. He graciously took the ladies to their car back at Fontana.
It was a tough hike up to Cheoah Bald and Sassafrass. The shelter was already overflowing by the time we got there. There were no tent sites, and we had to hang hammocks wherever we could find appropriate trees. One hiker evidently had about a pound of weed, we caught a nice buzz just from the 2nd hand smoke 50' away. First thing in the morning too. To each his own, that doesn't bother me. There was another dog running around free, in and out of the shelter.
My son went to pinch a loaf in the privy, but recoiled in horror as the poop was all the way up to the seat. Hanging balls would drag. He found a nice spot away from camp and water source. That night was cold and rainy, and the rain turned to snow. We had Warbonnet hammocks with Thermarest Trekker pads, Jacks top quilts. It was impossible to stay on the pads, even though they were in the hammock pocket made just for them. A long cold night.
We left the next morning with light flurries of snow, which turned to light rain. No problem. The final hike to NOC was relatively easy, mostly downhill of course, and not that steep. I was very glad not to be going the other way, uphill for 7 miles.
While most of the things I've mentioned here are negative, the overall experience was great. We had no blisters, no injuries, no ticks, the bugs weren't bad. The trail was spectacular. Canopies of mountain laurel, vistas of vast vallies and mountains. Rocks. I love rocks. Just awesome.
Mostly, I am in awe of what volunteers have done to maintain this trail. Steps, benches, shelters. If any volunteers read this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You're a hero.
Next section... Clingman's Dome to Fontana Dam.
We easily made it to the shelter and looked for a spot to hang our hammocks. There were several places that we could have hung them but we opted to get away from the weird looking guitar carrying guy, so took a spot up the hill. Despite our distance from the privy, the breeze blew the stench our way. It was pretty disgusting.
After an hour or two later, the women showed up, exhausted and unhappy. They set up two 2-person tents, as they smoked their cigarettes. That was the last peaceful moment we had until they finally went to sleep. Next morning they were up early, and it was like 4 women at a bar talking loudly and carrying on. Worse, we woke up to the stench of burning trash. Not burning wood,wet burning trash. It had rained, and the trash they hoped to burn wouldn't. They left camp a couple of hours before us, and we passed their fire ring on our way out. It was a mountain of unburned trash, including a full roll of toilet paper. Yes, a roll, like what's hanging in your bathroom at home. No wonder their packs were so big.
Before we left camp, a big dog came strolling around. Owner was nowhere in sight, but turned out to be relaxing in the shelter. Friendly enough dog, but...
We passed the ladies after an hour. We then realized that they would be stopping at the same shelter as us again, Brown Fork. Turned out they were doing the exact section we were. We wondered about the chances of this happening... of all the sections that people could hike, all of the places they could start, and all of the times that they could start, they had to do the exact same section at the same time as us. Who did I screw over in my past life to deserve this?
Brown Fork Shelter area was nice for hammocking. Except for the ladies yelling across the campsites to each other. They actually brought a bottle of rum with them. Rum. Was it worth the weight? As they were leaving the next morning, before us as usual, I saw an unopened pouch of Mountain House Chicken and Rice. I asked them if they forgot it, their reply "Can you just put that in the fire pit for us?". Really?
There was also a pile of feces right next to their campsite, just 20' uphill from the stream where we got our water. Can't be sure it was from them, but it wouldn't shock me. Better use those filters and/or purifiers!
We passed them again pretty soon. Next stop was Sassafrass, but the gods were with us. One of them could barely walk due to blisters, and the weather was supposed to get into the 30's that night, not good for fair weather car campers. The highway at Stecoah Gap was on the way, and they planned to 'tap out' there. Praise Jesus. Grandpa was waiting there for us with fresh fruit, enough to share with all the hikers who were passing through at the time. Trail magic. He also had some warmer clothes for us. He graciously took the ladies to their car back at Fontana.
It was a tough hike up to Cheoah Bald and Sassafrass. The shelter was already overflowing by the time we got there. There were no tent sites, and we had to hang hammocks wherever we could find appropriate trees. One hiker evidently had about a pound of weed, we caught a nice buzz just from the 2nd hand smoke 50' away. First thing in the morning too. To each his own, that doesn't bother me. There was another dog running around free, in and out of the shelter.
My son went to pinch a loaf in the privy, but recoiled in horror as the poop was all the way up to the seat. Hanging balls would drag. He found a nice spot away from camp and water source. That night was cold and rainy, and the rain turned to snow. We had Warbonnet hammocks with Thermarest Trekker pads, Jacks top quilts. It was impossible to stay on the pads, even though they were in the hammock pocket made just for them. A long cold night.
We left the next morning with light flurries of snow, which turned to light rain. No problem. The final hike to NOC was relatively easy, mostly downhill of course, and not that steep. I was very glad not to be going the other way, uphill for 7 miles.
While most of the things I've mentioned here are negative, the overall experience was great. We had no blisters, no injuries, no ticks, the bugs weren't bad. The trail was spectacular. Canopies of mountain laurel, vistas of vast vallies and mountains. Rocks. I love rocks. Just awesome.
Mostly, I am in awe of what volunteers have done to maintain this trail. Steps, benches, shelters. If any volunteers read this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You're a hero.
Next section... Clingman's Dome to Fontana Dam.