Introduction

About Pathways

Appalachian Trail

Why Walk?

Make a Pledge

Hiking Schedule

Journal

Photos

Links

Acknowledgements

April 8, 2001

Today we passed over Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the trail at 6,642 feet. We had clear skies, warm weather, and beautiful views. It's been our warmest day so far with the sunburns abounding. Still, Redneck and I were able to have one more snowball fight on the way to Mt. Collins Shelter where we're staying.

Just before we reached the top of Clingman's Dome, a 9-mile gradual ascent today, we were met by 3 trail angels from Asheville bearing candy, bananas, and sprite. They were a welcome site. Gary hiked the AT in '97 and is now working at Manna Food Bank, where I used to volunteer with WWC. Karen and Molly are getting their teaching certificate at UNCA and know Dave, whom I used to work at camp with. Small world even out here. That was our first trail magic.

That was our first trail magic, very different from yogi-ing, wherein the hikers actually approach day-hikers for food. Groundhog says that soon there will be signs up saying, "Please do not feed the thru-hikers."

There was also a family camped at the shelter when we arrived. We were skeptical at first by this large throng of multi-aged bipeds wearing assorted cotton clothing. But they proved to be a lot of fun, especially the kids. That was my camp fix. They even shared S'mores with us.

I'm still in territory I know. I came to Clingman's Dome 3 years ago with a forest biology field trip to study the spruce and fir. We also studied the balsam wooly adelgid that is killing off the firs even faster than the air pollution. There were more dead trees than last time.