Chapter 1- My Hatred Of Mudslides

“Shit, shit, shit, shit!” I mumble out loud as I force myself to keep running, not even stopping as sharp branches slap my face as I run through them. Luckily for me, the freezing rain numbed the hell out of my face and hands. The sound of fallen branches and twigs snapping in half echoed behind me, which meant that my pursuer was still behind me. The mud is slippery and makes it hard to keep good friction between the soles of my feet and the forest floor. I’m surprised I haven’t fallen and gotten devoured by whatever feral animal is chasing me yet. My lungs burn and muscles ache, but the adrenaline pumping in my system allows me to keep pushing my bodily limits. It’s good to know that when in a fight or flight situation I’ll choose flight, keep it in handy for next time. 

So, you’re probably wondering how I’ve gotten myself into quite the pickle, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I’m also currently wondering the very same thing. My guess? A certain, special, talent of getting stuck in bad situations and not checking the weather report. 

This all started about five hours ago when I began my hike on the Alum Cave Trail to Mt LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains. The whole reason I went on this stupid hike in the first place was to go on one last grand adventure before starting at Georgia State University in a few weeks. One thing you should know about me is that there's a special place in my heart for hiking and camping, so I figured since once school began I wouldn't have the time to go on trips like this, I’d get it all out of my system in one go with a solo hike in the Smokies. The plan was to hike the sixish miles to the Rainbow Falls trail intersection where there was the LeConte lodge and a primitive backpacker shelter. I would set up camp there for the night, then finish the rest of the hike the next day and hike back down the trail to the trail’s entrance the same day. 

Great plan, Tamara, look at where it got you. 

Everything started out okay enough. The trail started out with a moderate and winding ascent along the rhododendron filled valley floor beside Alum Cave Creek, which had an amazing view with the flowers and sparkling pools of water alongside the path. It started getting steeper after the staircase at Arch rock, but the view at Inspiration Point was worth it. I rested at the Alum Cave Bluffs and had a snack, carefully made my way across the cables underneath Cliff Top, and started setting up camp after picking a decent open, yet, hidden camp site. The hike itself took about two and a half hours.

I took my green single person tent and sleeping bag out before hanging my backpack high enough in a tree where bears couldn’t get to it, but I could get it down easily if an item needed to be retrieved from it. Two hours later and my camp was set up and my bathroom hole was dug. I marveled at the sunset through the trees while taking in the nature surrounding me. A particular frosty breeze that blew by me prompted me to start gathering firewood. I took my phone, my backpack to hold extra kindling, and a few pink strips of plastic to tie around trees to guide me back to my camp once I got enough for a big fire (not big enough to start a forest fire obviously). 

My search for firewood didn’t go on too long before little droplets of water started falling from the sky, by then I had picked up a few decent pieces of wood for my fire. I stood there confused since when I last checked my weather app the forecast was sunny with clear-skies. My phone was basically useless out here without internet reception, but I tried my luck. My weather app finally loaded and my heart sank.

I’m an idiot.

This whole time I’d been looking at the forecast for the day before. Today’s forecast was heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms. That would explain the lack of other hikers. I cursed myself mentally since I hadn’t brought anything for rain like a jacket or longer tent stakes- which was yet another mistake, I wasn’t prepared for any and everything. How am I going to survive college if I can’t even remember basic camping and hiking etiquette? The rain quickly picked up as I started to make my way back to shelter, thunder rumbling in the distance caused my pace to quicken. The dry wood I managed to salvage landed on the floor of my tent with a thick thunk! I’d have to wait out the storm in order to burn it.

As I listened to the ambiance from the passing storm, a sudden uneasiness settled deep within my bones. Behind the sound of raindrops pelting against the fabric of my tent was nothing. Thinking back on it, the woods had been silent while I was gathering wood. Even novice campers know that when it gets quiet like that there's a predator nearby.

God, I really am such an idiot.

My ears strained for anything other than rain falling as the intense unease worsened. Suddenly, something charged my tent. An ear piercing scream escaped my throat  as I hurriedly exited my tent. I couldn’t see what attacked me as it was tangled in the fabric of my tent. Like the actual idiot I am, in the heat of the moment, instead of heading back onto the trail, I picked a direction and ran. Seriously, what was I thinking trying to outrun a predator in its natural environment? 

And now we’re here, me running for my life, freezing my butt off, as a wild animal plans on eating me for its next meal. 

My luck finally ran out after I lost my footing and tripped over a thick tree root. A hot and intense pain shot through my ankle as it twisted on itself during the fall. Mud and rain water filled my mouth as a pained gasp escaped me. Whatever creature was chasing me growled as it stalked towards me. The setting sun and cloudy skies didn’t help my visibility, so all I saw was a pair of golden yellow eyes slowly making their way toward me.

I scooted my ass back on the ground- like a dog, but in reverse- to try and gain distance. Fear rushed through my veins as thoughts of being torn to shreds and dying a painful death flashed through my head. I really thought I was a goner, but then another growl rang out from somewhere in the trees. Then, it sounded like a scuffle between whatever was chasing me and another predator. As the two animals fought over who would get to eat me for dinner, my ass was escaping while they were distracted. It felt like my ankle was going to fall off as I limped towards my freedom. 

Going at a steady one mile per hour pace, the sounds of the two brawling animals quieted as I got away. I was nowhere in the clear yet as the ground beneath me started to rumble. I looked back to see the trees being knocked down by a three foot wave of mud that was quickly approaching. Panic rushed through me as I ran as fast as my ankle would allow me. I slipped and fell on my side after abruptly stopping as the ground in front of me came to an end. My wrist absorbed most of the impact, but my brain could barely register the pain as my body slid closer and closer to the edge. 

I screamed as if someone would hear me,”Help! Somebody, please help me!” I had no traction from the mud so I tried to grab the ground underneath, but I couldn;t get a strong hold on anything.

My neck went sore as I looked back and forth to the mudslide that was about fifteen yards away and getting closer to the cliff's edge. If I didn’t die from falling off the cliff of determinant height, I would drown from the mudfall that would slide off the cliff after me.

As my legs went off, I closed my eyes and squeezed them tight to the point where I could see stars, embracing for the inevitable impact.