It has been a crucible of a day, both a strain of my hiking endurance and faith in the trail. But so many amazing things happened in such a short time. Beginning with a 4:30am rise I set out with the three F’s (Fish, Furniture and Free Hugs) to witness a glorious sunrise from Clingman’s Dome—the highest point on the entire AT. Instead, after 3 miles of hiking in the dark we were greeted with frigid windy conditions and overcast skies. However the triumph was still alive being at the literal top of this journey.
After more miles of hiking through Evergreen forests we stopped out of exhaustion at Indian Road Gap. It was barren and magic-less, but I salvaged good cream cheese from the trash—an act of desperation. Furniture and I pushed on with fortune at our heels and Fish and Free Hugs stayed behind haplessly to miss our upcoming break.
Newfound Gap was tense with the tourist dregs, but not without generous trail magic. A kind thru-hiker from 2006 spoiled us with chips, dip, beer and hot dogs. I chose salmon and bagels instead out of vegetarian principle. Coincidentally, another hiker from 2006 arrived with a van laden with fried chicken, cupcakes, cookies, crackers and fresh fruit! Steak n’ Shake, Rabbit’s Foot, Beavis and Dog all joined later to partake in the Trail Magic, but Free Hugs and Fish sadly pushed on to the next shelter without respite.
After all joining together again we took a brave plunge to the next shelter—7.5miles after an already long 15-mile day. The mileage was tantalizing and harsh, but not without spectacular views and a rewarding shelter to reach.
Being alone to confront the odds against oneself makes one grateful for the joys of company, both simple and subtle.
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