Day 22 – Birch Spring Campground to Spence Field Shelter 

“A foggy day, in London town, it had me low, and it had me down” – Frank Sinatra 

Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers before 7 a.m., then areas of fog and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., then patchy fog and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Woke just before 7:00…looked outside at the heavy fog, but no rain, and went back to sleep until 7:30. Slept well. Decided to get moving slowly as I want the fog to burn off before I get moving. No point in getting everything wet from the fog. My rain fly is wet as well as everything I wore yesterday, but hopefully I can dry the clothes this morning by tying them to the outside of my pack. Assuming the fog lifts at a reasonable time.

I will start the day with a 2.4-mile 800-foot climb up Doe Knob, then a 2-mile 950-foot climb up Devils Tater Patch, then a 4-mile 1100-foot climb up to Spence Field Shelter for tonight. I’m not even going to try making it to Derrick Knob Shelter tonight.

All this means I’m not making it to Newfound Gap by noon Tuesday to meet my resupply drop. I’ll text the driver later today and ask if he can switch to Clingman’s Dome parking lot instead and MAYBE take me into Gatlinburg. I need to think about all that a bit more, but leaning towards a night in town after all. Gotta see how many miles I do and how I feel. Got moving at about 9:00.

YouTube video of foggy morning 

Sun came out at 10:00. Still humid, but at least all the wet clothes hanging on the back of my pack now have a chance to dry. 

Summited Doe Knob at 10:45. Sun is in and out of the clouds. 2.5 miles down, 9 more to go. Stopped for water at 11:30. Now it’s time for my 2-mile 950-foot climb up Devils Tater Patch. Yea!

Stopped for lunch at Mollies Ridge shelter at 12:45. Lolly was here and we had lunch. If I go into Gatlinburg on Tuesday, we may split a shuttle. Rained briefly while I was under cover eating lunch. It’s overcast, not sure what weather the afternoon will bring. Got 6 more miles to camp. Back on trail at 1:15. 

Spit rain on and off all afternoon. Trail is muddy and slippery.

Stopped at Russell Field Shelter at 2:50 for a break and to refill water. Got 2 bars of cell service, so I called Dana to check in. Got back on trail at 3:30.

I have 2.9 more miles to Spence Field Shelter. Should make it by 5:30 at the latest.

Made camp at 5:05. There are 3 others here, and Lolly will be here shortly. An older couple doing a SOBO section rolled in at 6:15. Total of 7 of us here tonight. 

Got unpacked and set up in the shelter on the bottom level. Hung up clothes to dry as best as they can. Made dinner at 6:30.

First half of today was nice. Second half sucked as it was wet and I had to slug through mud and muck. Soaked feet and very muddy. It’s going to rain tonight and in the morning. Not sure what my plan will be for tomorrow yet. 

Texted shuttle driver who is bringing me resupply on Tuesday. Asked him to meet at Clingman’s Dome instead and if he can take me and Lolly into Gatlinburg. He said yes. I asked Dana to find me a hotel with laundry and a 1:00 check-in with an option to extend to Wednesday night. That will depend on the weather. 

I am currently 16.4 miles from Clingman’s Dome and it’s going to rain a lot tomorrow morning. I gotta make at least 8 miles tomorrow. I’ve got Derrick Knob shelter at 6.3 miles or Siler’s Bald shelter at 12 miles or Double Spring Gap shelter at 13.7 miles. Game time decision based on weather.

Technical Notes:

• Pop-Tarts 340
• Snickers 250
• Salami 400
• Fritos S 370
• Chicken Gumbo 540
• Dehydrated pork 240
• Water liters 5
• Miles 12
• Time 7:54
• Elevation gain 3320
• Calories consumed 2500
• Calories burned 4500