May 9: Sassafras Gap Shelter to Cable Gap Shelter

Early morning brought an end to the rain and fog wrapped around the mountain. Light zephyrs of air came down the mountain toward the shelter causing us to be chilled. Hot oatmeal and a cup of Joe from one of the other shelter sleepers before we started packing up the tent. We were out of the shelter by 8:15AM huffing up Cheoah Bald from 4,330' to 5,062' a bit over 700' in a mile. The fog was thick and water fell from the tree branches and leaves as we topped the
bald. Reaching the Bald top we found the trail markings lacking. There were no White blazes to be seen, only the yellow of the "Bartam Trail." We scouted around and CC found a moss covered White Blaze near the tree with the yellow one. Back on track we started down. The weather started to clear as we lost elevation and we shed layers of cloths. Phexen had caught us and he and I had quite the conversation as we trudged along. We made "Brown Fork Shelter" 9.1 miles from our start by 2:30PM. The last climb before Brown Fork shot up 600' in about 1/2 mile, a smoker of a climb at 75 degrees. We had a short break and some nutrition, then off for the last 6.1 miles. It was mostly down hill but it made for a long day with many short steep
up-hills.
We rolled into the shelter at 6:15PM. Again the afternoon thunder storm threatened. We started out with our tent on a mostly level spot, but with the option of a quick move inside the shelter as there were only three people counting us at the shelter. We made the largest meal we had, as CC and I were famished. Just before bedding down we spotted the first flashes of lightning and the sliver of moon kept going behind the clouds. A quick move of the tent and again we were spared the wrath of the storm. All in all a great day with long miles made. Now we only have 5.5 miles to the road and our re-supply box for tomorrow’s walking.

Patrick, Deborah Mooney aka OD & CC
All Who Wander Are Not Lost

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