Date: 2015-03-26
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

THE NICE THING TO BEThe world is a much less nice place than it was with the tragic loss of Chris Sluder. Chris and I served together as Elders at Crossroads Christian Church until he recently took a job promotion moving him and his wife Beth to North Dakota. I just learned that while at work, Chris and a co worker were murdered. And while I know nohing of the circumstances or reasons if there could possibly be any, I do know that this world is a much less nice place without him.Each of us is given gifts and talents by our creator and one of Chris' gifts was being nice, because it was the nice thing to be. As I discussed the loss of Chris with Newfound we remarked that one of the things about "the trail" that is beginning to set in is the way it is renewing our belief in the ability of mankind to be nice, because its the nice ting to be. Trail magic is left for hikers because it is nice, and trail angels do nice things for us because it is nice. Nothing nice is done for reward, and that is the example Chris has left us.While there is nothing I can do or say to minimize the loss for the Sluder family, I can do this. Today, to honor Chris' memory, I will do something nice. It will be small by some measures I am sure, but Chris didn't care how small the nice thing was to do, it was still nice. And furthermore, with as they say the power of the pen I want to suggest that you help fill the void of nice left by the loss of my friend, and do something nice today, just because it is the nice thing to do.Beth, Matt and Kelly, my heart aches for your loss but, as I am sure you know, Chris rests surely in the arms of God because he boldly claimed and lived his life with the salvation of Christ inside. I know he prayed daily for each of you, and is now watching over you so find the peace that passes all understanding until you are reunited with him in Christ.Rest peacefully Chris and we will all try to be nice because its the nice thing to be.5/26, Greasy Creek Hostel, 20 miles Today was a tough day. I was excited at how well yesterday went, and anxious to get today under way. Up at 6:45 and on trail by 8 I was hiking strong and felt good. By 1 pm I had covered 12 miles to the first shelter, and set out for the Greasy Creek Friendly hostel 8 more miles away. Nothing on this hike has been as difficult as the uphill portions of the last 4 to 6 miles of a 20 mile day and today was no exception. The trail did not relent and I kept hiking uphill, then down, then uphill then down. When I finally reached the hostel cutoff, it was .6 mile more downhill. Fortunately when I arrived the accommodations are very comfortable. Complicating my future plans is the ever changing weather forecast. I planned to hike a short 9 miles to Roan High Knob shelter tomorrow where I knew the weather would be cold. The problem arose as I discussed with Connie, the hostel owner, the implications of the forecast 1 to 3 inches of snow expected Friday (tomorrow) night. Snow for me as a hiker is no big deal, but even the smallest amount of snow would mean the road where Kathy was going to meet me would be impassable, and the nearest passable road trail north was 27 trail miles. I'm a pretty good hiker but I cannot get there early Saturday. Also, since Kathy and I have such a tight schedule of time we can spend together, we want to maximize our odds of success. Therefore, I will take my first zero here at Greasy Creek tomorrow, rest my legs from three long days, and hike back four miles on Sat am to meet Kathy at a passable road I have already crossed. I will likely hike it a third time as well as it is the best place for me to get back on the trail Sunday.For now I will spend tomorrow uploading photos and cleaning up my journal, so I don' t have to spend time on that while Kathy is here. I will also be carefully planning my next couple weeks of hiking in preparation for my friend Dave's arrival. There is much to do. Silverback