Super Storm 2012

Well, we woke up and it was just as cloudy as the day before but 90% chance of rain. Well, at least we stayed dry the night before. We got a good start and headed out for our first climb of the day. It was one of those days on the trail where you felt the imminent oncoming rain all day. We made it to Max Patch and were hoping for a view but instead could only see about 20 feet in front of us. At the summit it was 35-45mph wind gusts, mist and eventually some rain. As we continued, it sprinkled on us lightly until we made it to Roaring Fork Shelter. It was only 3:45pm and so we got water, ate a snack and made the decision to continue to the Walnut Gap Shelter.
Ok, so this is when our day turned more interesting. Of course we wanted to make some more miles and about 45 minutes out of Roaring Fork it started to rain harder and the wind started. We hiked a bit harder and as we were hiking up the mountain the gusts of wind reached around 50-60mph and we spent just about as much time looking up for falling debris as we did watching our feet. Finally we made it to the top of the mountain and it was cleared of all trees and it was a large meadow with wild flowers and tall grasses. There were even some spots of sunshine and blue sky, what a relief.
Just outside the meadow was the shelter in a narrow gap and the wind was howling. The shelter that fits 5 people already had 3 in it. We talked to the guys and said we thought we would find a low spot farther down the mountain and that is what we did at Kale Gap. It was a funny turn of events because we were looking forward to getting to that shelter more than anything with sore and blistered feet. Regardless we carried on. I found us what looked like a safe spot under a giant white pine tree and just five minutes after we put up the tent the rain started and didn’t stop for 14 hours. Lots of sleep and rest for our feet was what we needed and forced to have considering the circumstances. I will say that that night was probably the worst weather Abigail or I had ever experienced in a tent. The wind was higher in the tree tops but it roared all night and what a downpour. Not what I would call restful but we had time.
The next day we got up and slowly started to dry all of our things. It stayed almost completely dry in the tent but still kept us till noon drying everything out. Even though we didn’t get a start till noon we pushed on excited to make it into Hot Springs NC, 14 miles later looking forward to a delicious beer. Ha, well not gonna happen. Our showers kept us a little too long and by the time we went out to a fun night on the town even the town bar was closed at 9:30pm!!! Ahhhhhhhh, well at least we had Dollar General and some tasty snacks.

- Chris