4/27/99 Franklin, NC   Miles Today : 16 Miles from Springer : 107.1

Well today was a pretty easy hiking day. Mark, Wildflower and I left this morning around 9am and quickly clicked off 4.5 mile. Then came the steep climb over Mt Albert, which reminded me of several climbs back home. At some points, the climb involved using handholds and scrambling over sections. A GREAT CLIMB!!! We were rewarded at the t top with a fire tower, but clouds severely limited the views.

The next 10 miles were a blur. The three of us averaged almost 3 mph for 6 miles before taking a snack break at the Rook Gap shelter. When I went to fill up my water bottles, -bam- TRAIL MAGIC!!! Two cans of ginger ale in the cold stream.

Another 4 miles we traveled to Winding Stair Gap where we tried to hitch for about 10 minutes. Just then two older guys came out of the woods to offer us a lift. They are retired gentlemen from Ireland and they are out here for a month to hike as much of the AT as they can. Anyway, they drop us right at the doorstop of Henry's Motel, our lodging for the evening. Nothing fancy here but what do you want for $25? Did some showering, laundry and food shopping - which of course involved beer!

Anyway, tomorrow should be a nice easy 11 to Wayah Bald unless it is still raining. But for now, I am clean, dry and ready for more miles.

-Chomp

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