Date: 2008-04-21
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

To rain, or not to rain. That is the question. If I got a nickel everytime I took off or put on my rainjacket, I would have approximately 60 cents. Every time it was raining, I could see blue sky off in the distance, and vice versa with rain clouds. Today was supposed to be a scenic day, which was to include "The Dragon's Tooth" (a big rock formation) and McAfee Knob (the most photographed site on the AT). My morning began with a climb up to a ridge that took me to The Dragon's Tooth. I was in the clouds and it was raining hard, so I didn't even bother taking the side trail. All I would have seen was gray clouds. Coming off the ridge was brutal. By brutal, I mean dangerous. It was by far the most rocky, steep downhill section of the trail so far. Sprinkle in some rain and you've got a recipe for injury. Luckily, I made it down. (Thank you poles!) Soon after Dragon's Tooth, I was planning to resupply at the Catawba Grocery, supposedly .4 miles off trail to get me to Daleville. I took the wrong trail, which I thought would lead me to the grocery. What confused me was it led me to the correct road, but just the wrong place. After 1.5 miles on this stupid side trail, I hit the road, and discover that Catawba Grocery is still a few tenths of a mile away. I walked there, ate 4 hot dogs, 1 pint of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, and 1 liter of Mountain Dew, and resupplied with a few items. I scarfed everything down and still had half a liter of Mtn. Dew left. I threw the rest away. That's right. I threw Mtn. Dew away. I learned that lesson a few days ago that too much caffeine dehydrates me pretty badly. Regarding the blue blazing, I gave myself a break because it was an honest mistake. [BLUE BLAZING can mean a shortcut using a side trail. AT trails are marked with white blazes. AT hikers who stick to the white-blazed trail refer to themselves as purists.] That detour represents the first piece of AT Trail that I missed. (1.5 miles). It ended up that I actually did 1.9 miles of side trail and road walking rather than the AT. I don't want people to get their panties in a bunch, because I realize this can be a heated topic among hikers. However, I will not (purposely) "blue blaze" or "slack pack" on this trek. [SLACK PACK means hiking with a lighter day pack with just a few essentials.] I have my reasons for both. Both depend on MY reasons for hiking. Let me be clear by saying that I couldn't care less about how others hike, but for me, I won't purposely do either. In my prep journal entries, I attempted to explain that part of why the AT appealed to me was the lack of control I had. The path had already been laid out for me; all I have to do is walk it. I think blue blazing is an attempt to control, which is something I would rather not do. Another reason the AT appeals to me is the independence it requires. I realize that hikers need the necessary support from towns, maildrops, etc. But to me, the idea of slack packing conflicts with the independence that I covet. Anyway, McAfee Knob was awesome. The trail maintenance crew did a brilliant job. They purposely did not give the hiker any views until the very last moment, where you essentially walk out on a cliff, which overlooks a vast panorama. I had been debating whether or not to save the view for tomorrow morning, but I took my chances tonight with the rain, and it paid off. Great ending to a weird day. "I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday." ~ Abraham Lincoln