Water in the tent
Upon our arrival, greg and I left our car and got into David Stiles vehicle and proceeded to the Smokemont Ranger Station, on US Hwy 441, where we completed the required permit for back country hiking and camping. We indicated on the permit, we would be spending Saturday evening at Deep Creek Trail Campsite 53.
At approximately 3:30 PM, Greg said he saw a lady hiker on the trail in front of the camp. I leaned up and looked out the doorway of the tent and saw a small person in a black T-shirt with a badge on it. I knew it was a ranger and began yelling for her.
Upon her arrival, she began talking to me and established my level of consciousness and checked, greg to insure he was alright. Next she provided us with water and a couple of candy bars. At her insistence, I drank approximately two liters of water and began to feel noticeably better. I was still weak, but my legs felt markedly better. It was at that point I began to realize I hadn’t eaten any thing except a Pop-tart since Friday evening. In all the terror of the rain and the inability to locate a stopping point until midday Saturday, I had neglected to eat or drink anything.
The Ranger asked me if I could walk now and I began moving around with the aid of my walking stick and I began feeling somewhat better, yet weak. Shortly, several National Forest Service employees and another GSMNP Ranger arrived and began breaking camp and packed everything in two packs for the mile long walk to awaiting vehicles.
At several points, the male Ranger ran alongside me and held me in the vehicle in steep places.
We eventually arrived in the parking lot at the Deep Creek Campground where we were met by wife and my Mother. I tried to get around and personally thank everyone for the rescue, but I am sure I missed some.