Storm

There had been a big storm predicted to start today but the forecast was looking better this morning, only partly cloudy listed on my AT Weather app, so we headed out. We caught the free 10am shuttle from NOC and got back up to Newfound Gap. We were hiking slowly, weighed down with 5 days of food. We stopped only a mile or two in for first lunch then continued to the first shelter, Icewater Spring Shelter.

The weather was sunny and clear so we didn’t expect any rain soon but there were other hikers taking a zero at the shelter because of the storm predictions. They were listening to a weather radio which made it sound dire – sudden thunder storms with tornadoes and hail coming in the afternoon! Someone also said a ranger at Newfound Gap said the storm was coming at 2:00. It was 1:00 and suddenly there was cold wind and dark clouds moving in as we listened to the radio so we decided that despite only hiking 3 miles today, the smart move would be to stay since the next shelter was 8 miles out and we were moving slowly.

I grabbed a spot in the shelter and started collecting dry firewood before the rain, thinking it’d be nice to have a fire in the shelter fireplace if it’s storming all night. There were slim pickings for wood, mostly little sticks, so I eventually gave up. More hikers kept coming in and deciding to stay, and meanwhile it’s getting later and still sunny and clear. Saint Nick and Duct Tape went to collect firewood and stumbled across a shopping bag full of an unopened box of wine, an un-nibbled on Pay Day bar, and a Duraflame firestarter! We had just been saying if we knew we were doing a nero, we would have hiked a bag of wine in. Trail magic strikes again! Chardonnay to class up the shelter.

It eventually rained for about 5 minutes at 6:00, but it’s dry right now. We definitely could have made it to the next shelter with time to spare but we had a good day hanging out and socializing any way.

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  1. Loretta Lisowski April 11, 2013 — 6:32 pm

    First lunch? Pippin (one of the hobbits) referred to it as “elevensies” and was quite peeved at Gandalf who only wanted to stop 3 times a day to eat. We must compare “gear” notes when you get back. Your AT weather app sounds useful and I’ll do anything to find a way to prevent my toe-jamming on the downhills.

    • Loretta Lisowski April 11, 2013 — 6:36 pm

      Whoops – my memory failed me – it was Aragorn:

      Aragorn: Gentlemen, we do not stop ’til nightfall.
      Pippin: What about breakfast?
      Aragorn: You’ve already had it.
      Pippin: We’ve had one, yes. What about second breakfast?
      [Aragorn turns and walks off in disgust]
      Merry: I don’t think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.
      Pippin: What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn’t he?
      Merry: I wouldn’t count on it.

    • Your shoes don’t fit right if that is happening consistently. Keep an eye on the REI Marlton class schedule for something called Happy Hiker Feet. Or go in and talk to Postcard, a 2 time former thru-hiker who works there and runs that class.

  2. what no pictures for today?

    your droid 4 can also do videos – we want not just pictures – we want videos too!

    really even 10 – 20 second videos (no need for HD – just set to film in 640×480 VGA will even do) they will upload to youtube in minutes… and then just post a link!
    if I can do it from treks in third world – Apalachian probably has a droid app for that…

    again awesome blog…

  3. It sounds like you are on the same meal schedule as Kevin 🙂

  4. Kris,
    I look forward to your nightly posts. I enjoy reading about your daily adventures. Sounds like you are having a great time and seeing lots of places. It is great that you are stopping to explore some of the towns while you are passing through.

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