Have been pushing it for the last few days, 10-12 miles, so decided to just go to Spence Field Shelter at mile 181.5. Nice day in 60's and sunny. Got into shelter in early afternoon and did another bandana bath. Refreshing! Checked my feet as "this little piggy had none" right toe was bothering me. Toe was red and sore. Toenail was ready to come off so I just helped a bit. Looked REALLY BAD. Antibiotic and taped. Hope for the best.
My pack is beginning the chafe my hips. I guess I have lost some protective fat. Taped my hips with hot pink kinesio-tape Stylin' baby!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Mile 167.1 Fontana Dam marks the southern entrance to GSMNP. Hiked just over eleven miles to Mollies Ridge Shelter. In the park you must stay in the shelters. Most of the shelters have "toilet areas" as opposed to privies. The toilet areas are called minefields for obvious reasons. Gained over 3000 feet in elevation today.
A number of shelters in GSMNP used to have wire fencing on the open side of the three sided structure. The fencing was to protect the hikers/campers from bears. Problem is that people were feeding bears through the fence. Idiots. Most fences are gone. Lots of section hikers within the park. No bears yet - good.
A number of shelters in GSMNP used to have wire fencing on the open side of the three sided structure. The fencing was to protect the hikers/campers from bears. Problem is that people were feeding bears through the fence. Idiots. Most fences are gone. Lots of section hikers within the park. No bears yet - good.
Fontana Hilton Mile 164.6
The shelter at Fontana Dam is called The Fontana Hilton. Feel that hotel name sake Conrad Hilton would be doing a slow roll in his grave if he saw it. However, by trail standards quite the deluxe accommodations. A heated flush toilet, hot water, a shower (?), running water outside the shelter and a gravel picnic area. The shower was so gross, even by trail standards, that I choose only the bandana bath option. Just wet and soap the bandana and hit the worst spots.
Had a real surprise. As I was taking off my boots for the day, always a good feeling, someone plopped his butt down next to me invading my personal space! Turned around and saw it was James of James and Amy from Neel's Gap -two weeks back. Seems Amy (now Paisley) developed a severe foot infection and they had to take three days off to let the antibiotics kick in. James is now Mr. Giggle-Fitz. Some how I think we will cross trails again.
Had a real surprise. As I was taking off my boots for the day, always a good feeling, someone plopped his butt down next to me invading my personal space! Turned around and saw it was James of James and Amy from Neel's Gap -two weeks back. Seems Amy (now Paisley) developed a severe foot infection and they had to take three days off to let the antibiotics kick in. James is now Mr. Giggle-Fitz. Some how I think we will cross trails again.
Brown Fork Gap Shelter Mile 153.1
Met my first South Bound Through hikers, SoBo's. they started in Maine on August 14, 2012. They took some time off for Christmas and Thanksgiving but have only 153.1 miles to Springer Mountain GA.
After another hard rain over night I hit the trail for Fontana Dam. A clear morning and some inspiring landscapes. Still lots of mud and strange trail conditions. Many rock falls that are difficult to negotiate. I try to be extra careful as one miss step will lead to a nasty fall. Can you find the best way through this rock slide?
After another hard rain over night I hit the trail for Fontana Dam. A clear morning and some inspiring landscapes. Still lots of mud and strange trail conditions. Many rock falls that are difficult to negotiate. I try to be extra careful as one miss step will lead to a nasty fall. Can you find the best way through this rock slide?
Switch Backs
Switch backs are a common way to traverse one up or down a steep hillside. As a hiker, you learn to really dislike them. At the base of the mountain they tend to be long and gradual. Higher on the mountain they get shorter and steeper. The major issue with them is that you get a false sense of completion when you reach a transition area where you switch directions. You see daylight and think you have reached the top only to have your elated state shattered with the realization that you ain't there yet.
Jacob's Ladder is a series of switchbacks that rise almost 900 feet in a half mile. Difficult in the best weather but I had tto climb Jacob's ladder in the rain. Joy unbridled!
Jacob's Ladder is a series of switchbacks that rise almost 900 feet in a half mile. Difficult in the best weather but I had tto climb Jacob's ladder in the rain. Joy unbridled!
Easter Sunday Mile 144
This was my worst day on the trail. After all the rain last night the trail was a muddy mess. Slippery hardly describes the condition. Oozing goo is close. Footing is difficult both uphill and down. On top of that my Camelback hydration bag started to leak as I was preparing to leave the shelter soaking my dry clothes in my pack. After three weeks on the trail my mental state was not the best. Could not come to grips with why I was doing this. The more I walked the more I fretted about my condition, the cold, the wet and the futility of climbing up one hill only to trudge down another. Feeling pretty sorry about ME.
Then it happened. At Stecoah Gap, mile 150.7 a couple had set up a Trail Magic stop. Grilled hot dogs, soda, fresh fruit and homemade oatmeal raisin cookies that were to die for. Then the realization
The clarity I needed. Here was a couple who chose to hand out snacks on a cold windy Easter Sunday to unknown hikers. They were real Trail Angels. They may never know how they made me feel. Truly an act of kindness.
Then it happened. At Stecoah Gap, mile 150.7 a couple had set up a Trail Magic stop. Grilled hot dogs, soda, fresh fruit and homemade oatmeal raisin cookies that were to die for. Then the realization
The clarity I needed. Here was a couple who chose to hand out snacks on a cold windy Easter Sunday to unknown hikers. They were real Trail Angels. They may never know how they made me feel. Truly an act of kindness.
Seven Miles Uphill
First, just so you don't think I fell off the face of the earth, cell phone reception has been spotty to non-existent. So, I will to catch everyone up to date.
Left the NOC, mile 137.3, after a breakfast at the River's End restaurant. Faced a seven mile climb up a three thousand foot elevation change to the next shelter. Since they were predicting rain, decided to opt out for the shelter rather than push on to the next campground. It rained hard almost all night. The shelter was a good choice.
Left the NOC, mile 137.3, after a breakfast at the River's End restaurant. Faced a seven mile climb up a three thousand foot elevation change to the next shelter. Since they were predicting rain, decided to opt out for the shelter rather than push on to the next campground. It rained hard almost all night. The shelter was a good choice.
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