Spring in Kuwohi (Day 20)

I woke up to another cold morning, but this one was sunny and bright. The wind no longer howled nor did the rain beat on the roof of the shelter. It seemed like spring had returned overnight.

spring returns

I found it a little easier to get ready this morning and drank my coffee a little less hurriedly. I still wasn’t sleeping very well, as the cold wakes me up every few hours. But I feel better than yesterday. Today is a long day of climbing, as this afternoon we will reach the highest point of the AT. Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) sits at 6,612 feet elevation.

Background information

I was able to walk most of the day in shorts, but I’m still wearing three layers on the top half. Sometimes it’s hard to watch others enjoy the weather while I still feel so uncomfortable. By the way, I have celiac disease that I did not receive treatment for several years. Because of this, I spent a long time unable to absorb iron and other vitamins, which left me with extreme sensitivity to cold. Although I now follow a gluten-free diet and take supplements, this symptom has not completely resolved (although I have seen improvement)!

silver coatings

I’m grateful that, despite the cold, the weather today is much better than yesterday overall. Because we were at such a high elevation, we walked through rocky pine forests that looked like a scene from Hansel and Gretel. I saw several deer and they didn’t seem to be afraid of me at all. A group of us arrived at Kuwohi in the late afternoon, 10 miles into our 13 mile day. We left our bags at the foot of the ramp and went up to the observation tower to take some photos. The mountains are as beautiful as they say.

Another quick dinner tonight and I’m resting on my quilt. It’s the only place I can find comfort and warmth right now, but it bothers me that it’s stopping me from socializing. Tomorrow, it’s just 4.5 miles to Newfound Gap, where we’ll take a free shuttle to Gatlinburg. I’m taking a nero, followed by my first zero there. I think after three weeks, 200 miles, and this cold snap, my body needs a rest.

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