Date: 2013-03-28
From: Beech Gap campsite

To: Long Branch Shelter area
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Good evening dear readers,My gear challenges continue - man, i knew i was rough on my clothing, but i only started the trail 2 weeks ago! Hole is getting bigger in my shirt sleeve (which to be fair was there before the trip), I don't want to talk about the formerly beautiful merino possum gloves quickly becoming fingerless gloves, and I discovered a hole in my minus 33 tights today. Oy. RIP lovely sawyer filter which I froze on Sunday night, and the less said about my original bear bagging rope the better. Today I lost the ziplock with my guide book pages and journals - somewhere between Betty Creek Gap where I ate lunch and Mooney Gap. Still not sure if I should have gone back (more than I did! About 1/4 mile without my pack then thought I was being stupid to leave all of my worldly belongings at a forest service road) to try to find it. Nothing irreplaceable, but I wish I hadn't lost the first journal with my "why I'm doing this" motivation lists. No one after me saw it, oh well, such is life. Who knows, I did write my name and address in at least one of the journals, maybe someone will find it and will mail it home - here's hoping. Otherwise, this was pretty much the only downside to a great day! Another gorgeous, though cold, day of hiking. bright blue skies, snow melting, great vistas!! Continued to feel very strong, though the rock scramble up Albert Mt was intense! A preview of what is to come in northern New England ??. Leap frogged most of the day with 3 guys I met yesterday at Standing Indian Shelter. The view from Albert was one of the best so far, though I didn't go up the fire tower. The top wasn't open, which gave me an excuse not to climb. I tried something new this morning - got packed up and out by 8:35 and ate breakfast (2 bars) on the way. Seemed to work really well! I felt very accomplished, plus I'm so slow and need breaks right now I might as well eat. Wore my microspikes for the third hiking day in a row this morning which really helped with the ice. Mud was the main obstacle this afternoon -a few close calls, but no falls! Into camp before 5, which was nice. Baby wipe baths (though awkward maneuvering in my tent) make me feel human again! This is a new shelter area, and while I'm tenting (only a few tent sites FYI) to have my own space, the double decker shelter looks nice - everything is new!! The privy was great, though v-magic was hanging his bear bag and I almost got to practice Stacy's smirk/wave due to the layout. Great view here, I hope the breeze doesn't pick up too much tonight. I think I'm getting the hang of winter camping - putting on frozen shoes in the morning is a "special" treat, though not bad once I start walking. Water didn't freeze last night, though I keep thinking I shouldn't be huddling in my bag so much - condensation issues with down....though my bag wasn't wet this morning and felt fine when I unpacked it this evening. Only a few fleeting instances of loneliness today - a beautiful day and great scenery certainly continues to help my mood. Mostly wanting someone like minded to share the awesomeness with! Frankly though, I'm glad I'm usually hiking by myself right now - feel like I'm still getting into shape, so not inconvenincing anyone else. Glad I'm running into several people a day now!   At the Shelter area tonight I met Bubblegum, who kindly let me take photos of his guide pages into Franklin, Buttercup an awesome lady (we skirt wearers will take over the world!) who I first saw at Carter Gap Shelter this morning, and several other guys. Over 100 miles in - Not bad for 12 days' worth of hiking when I've been deliberately going slow and ramping up. Yea, another milestone reached!Word of the day: incongruous - not harmonious, lacking propriety, unsuitableThe full moon has been incongruously bright, I thought it was almost time to get up at 4:30 am! Instead I just had to pee. Still hard to force myself out of my warm sleeping bag. Moonlight like spot lights the last 2 clear nights- didn't need a head lamp! Stars overwhelmed though still beautiful...