Date: 3/21/04
Starting Location: Siler Bald Shelter
Destination: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles: 12.2
Total Miles: 131.3
Last night, Semicolon and Professor T and I were treated to an incredible thunderstorm that lasted for over an hour. Rain pelted the aluminum roof of the shelter on Siler Bald like marbles on a snare drum. Good thing we had two electrical engineers to figure out who'd get fried first if the aluminum roof got struck by lightning. But today, we're safe and sound hiking a little more than 12 miles under more blue, but windy and colder March skies. Temps will be well down into the 20s or lower tonight here at just under 5000' of elevation. Saw two of our first bald summits today (famous down here in Southern Appalachia) on our first day of hiking with Steve Titcomb (Professor T—a professor of mine from college). Another shelter tonight w/Semicolon also, and we're beginning to wonder whether we're going to see more NOBOs (northbound thru-hikers)—it's been awhile. Tomorrow, down to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) for food, shower, and laundry. Feet are doing a touch better since I rigged up some night splints for them with some ACE bandages I picked up in Franklin yesterday—my mom would be so proud.
