Mar 21

DAY #19
START LOCATION: Locust Cove Gap Campsite
FINISH LOCATION: Cable Gap Shelter
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 11.6
TRIP MILEAGE: 156.1
MILES TO GO: 2,023.0

The AT is not only a 2,000 mile hiking trail, it is also the longest
free library. People bring books on their thru hike, and when theyre
done, they leave them at shelters to save weight. So these books just
travel up and down the AT as the hikers read and travel. By Rock Gap
Shelter I found one I decided was worthy of picking up... the Romance
of Tristan and Iseult. I thought it looked rather Shakespearey... Sofa
said it was a romance novel nonetheless. But, it was in good
condition, not too heavy, and I'm about broadening my horizons on this
hike so I picked it up.

Anyway... I slept great at the tent city at Locust Cove last night,
but was up a bit early, so I read a bit of my new book. I put it down
when I heard my colleagues packing up and making breakfast outside.

There were about a dozen of us from tent city all aiming for Cable Gap
where there was a 6 person shelter. Rain was in the forecast for today
so shelters become especially desirable. As you'd guess... tent city
reverted back to silent and vacant Locust Cove Gap by 8:30 AM.

I started out slow as usual... Pretty much all 12 were ahead of me by
9AM. But, as I warmed up and my Achilles loosened, I was back in the
pack by late morning. Stopped at Brown Fork Gap for lunch with
Scruffy, Cornpatch and Sofa. Met some cool thru-hikers from Texas. We
reminisced about floating the Rio Guadalupe and they told me places I
need to check out when I visit San Antonio.

Got to Yellow Creek Road crossing about a mile shy of Cable Gap.
There Scruffy, Sofa and I met who we thought was a trail magician
since he was handing out pretzels and Oreos out of his van. He
mentioned he thru hiked in 1991 so we thought nothing of his agenda
otherwise. But, all of a sudden this packless runner comes jogging
down the northbound trail to the van and the trail magician jumps into
action with water, a change of shirt and a mcdonalds cheese burger...
He was really a road support partner for this trail runner. The
runner started FOUR DAYS AGO ON SPRINGER!!! He's averaging 40 miles a
day. Yes, you read right... This guy has run in 4 days the same
distance it took me to hike in 19. Upon hearing this, Sofa just stood
back chuckled as he lit up a handrolled cigarette.

As we expected, the shelter was full when Scruffy & I arrived. The
shelter situation prompted Sofa and Cornpatch to push to Fontana Dam
where the "Fontana Hilton" awaits. The Fontana Hilton is a nickname
for the Fontana Dam Shelter... The far and away best shelter out of
the 280 the AT is peppered with. It has room for two dozen hikers,
heated restrooms, hot showers and electricity. I plan on staying there
tomorrow night. Scruffy and I were not in the mood for a rain soaked
six mile 2,000 foot descent after today's moderate 11.

Today was great... The rain held off not only through the hike, but
Scruffy and I had our tents up, and were able to finish dinner as
well. It's pouring now at 9:15PM. The sound against the rainfly
should help lull me to sleep... After I find out if Tristan defeated
the fire breathing dragon in Ireland.

-n8dog