I'm back from my second Ridgerunner Patrol.  It wasn't as drama packed as the last patrol but it was still pretty exciting.  I'm not sure how much I am educating the hikers out there but I sure am learning a lot!  We are still battling the elements out there.  The snow and ice are still deep in the high elevations.  We are seeing lots of young folks on Spring Break.  And the early Thruhikers are making their way across the sometimes muddy, sometimes frozen Smokies.

    I started out Thursday morning from Newfound Gap in light rain and 33 degree temperatures.  I headed South again toward Mt. Collins Shelter.  I was able to clear some downed trees and document some larger trees for our fantastic Volunteers to come in and clear up in April.  Caleb and I had planned to do this on our way back out last week but we were side tracked by a rescue.  I quickly hiked into a couple inches of wet snow which made for some beautiful scenery.  I passed some AT Thruhikers and some hikers on spring break from college that were hiking out at Newfound Gap to spend the night in Gatlinburg.  At the Mt. Collins Shelter I was joined by 4 AT Thruhikers for the night.  After the sun set the temperatures dropped fast and it began to snow hard.  By 7 pm it was 20 degrees with 8 inches of new snow.  Overnight it dropped between 10 and 15 degrees and we had a foot of snow dumped on us.  All of our gear was frozen solid.  Hiking in the mud, rain, slush and snow left our gear wet now it was all frozen solid along with our water.  We all had enough dry spare clothing to stay safe so we got outfitted the best we could and decided that the safest choice would be to hike out, go to town and dry up.  The road was closed due to snow and ice.  Luckily the Park Service had the road cleared soon after we arrived at Newfound Gap.  After drying out my gear I was prepared to go back out Saturday morning.

    I hiked out to Icewater Springs Shelter on Saturday.  Finally I was able to spend time interacting with hikers and not just battling the elements.  The trail still held a lot of snow and ice but the sunshine brought out many hikers.  It was a joy have an interaction with so many hikers.  I met some new hikers that I was able to educate on a few topics.  And I met some veteran hikers that taught me a few things.  At Icewater Spring I ran into Andy who I had met on Mt.LeConte.  He had brought his friend Tim out for his first hike.  The conditions at the shelter weren't great that night but I hope that doesn't discourage Tim from continuing to bet out and backpack.
    It turned out to be a great patrol.  I enjoyed the hikers I met on the trail.  If you were out there I hope I was helpful.  I am gearing up to go back out tomorrow and I hope to see you on the trail!