After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. ~Nelson Mandela
May 27, 2023
AT miles: 12.1
Ascent: 2523’
Descent: 2185’
Weather: cloudy and high 50’s
Sightings: lots of tired hikers
High points: the views from Rocky
Last night was cold, but I was well equipped with my 10° quilt. Several of the others had a chilly time.
This morning I woke up with the sun and was on trail around 7:30. Last night someone yelled into the shelter that there was a mama bear and her cubs about the mile down the trail, so we all left the shelter in groups. However, the only wildlife I saw was this deer, who is clearly not afraid of humans.
The trail ascended rapidly to 4000 feet fairly early in the morning — and I will be at or over 4000 feet until late tomorrow afternoon.
The trail became sunny and open.
The view from Rocky Top (5440’) was awe-inspiring. The cloud-covered mountain in the middle is Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT. We will hike it tomorrow!
Chris made another great fire for us — and it’s cold enough that the heat is welcome.
Oddly enough, our group of seven seems to be a magnet for other hikers. We have acquired several other folks (both section and through-hikers) who have adjusted their schedules so that they can be in shelters with us in the evenings!
Perhaps the most unusual hiker who is enjoying hiking along with us is a gruff older man, Camel, who likes collecting mushrooms and frying them up at dinner time. He fried today’s collection of mushrooms over the fire and generously offered this gourmet treat to all of us. Every single one of us refused. The next day, when camel was not around one hiker said that he didn’t want his friends to read the headline “Appalachian trail hikers killed in shelter by homicidal maniac using poisonous mushrooms!” You want to trust people, but eating unknown mushrooms prepared by an unknown person is definitely beyond the pale!
Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!