Date: 2014-04-04
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Yellow Creek Gap
Miles today: 7.6

There are a few facts you have to face when distance hiking in the Appalachians. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but a few observations thus far:1) You will fall down. I'm not talking in the spiritual or metaphysical sense (though it does apply) rather, I'm speaking in the physical sense. I consider myself fortunate that I was 140 miles in before I discovered gravity, and started going to ground. Maybe the trick to falling is twisting yourself in such a way that your pack takes the brunt of impact, as opposed to your face. Sort of like a cat. Of course, after you've established that nothing vital has been injured, it's simply a matter of dusting off your ego and continuing on. I will admit to one fall (near Sassafras shelter) in particular, that rattled my cage a teensy bit.2) You will be smelly and dirty no matter what. I've taken four (I think) straight zero days, and I still stink. During these zero days, I've taken countless showers, and I still smell like hot garbage. Moreover, the dirt under my fingernails (and toe nails) seems to be a semi-permanent fashion feature.3) You will hike in the rain. Of course, how much MAY depend on when one starts, but it's going to happen. At this point, it doesn't even bother me anymore. Setting up a tent in the rain, on the other hand, is like (dirty) fingernails on a chalkboard. I'm hoping I might get over it eventually.4) It's possible you may become obsessed with the weather channel. While hiking in the rain is just something you have to learn to embrace, I sure like to know about it. And so do other hikers. 5) You will lose weight, and get stronger. Granted, everyone is different, and how your body responds to high physical demand is probably different than mine. That said, some weight loss can be expected. If there's any question regarding the intense physical demand of this trail, let me describe my diet over the past month: Whatever the hell I feel like eating, and as much of it as I want. 158 miles in, I've dropped 20 pounds. Additionally, my legs are noticeably stronger than when I left. I was getting my butt kicked on the Ozark Highland Trail not long ago. I'm quite sure I could eat that same section of the OHT for lunch now. Yes, it's been painful. And yes, my body has not been happy. Dealing with the physical demands gets easier every day I hike.Today's post-injury hike seemed to highlight these first four ideas. I started on a southbound slack pack hike this morning, primarily to test the foot, and as an a added bonus, I got to go DOWN Jacobs Ladder, rather than up. Briefly, Jacobs Ladder is about a mile long corkscrew that's best described as difficult. I'm trying to keep the journal in the PG-13 range, and I'm not sure I can use the "F" word in this context. Because I would. And probably a few others. And probably more than once. Anyway...I'm happy to report that slack packing is everything it promises to be. In a word, awesome! I was a little concerned about leaving all my crap behind, but after the first mile, I certainly didn't miss it. The un-encumbered power I felt carrying a svelte 6 pounds is no contest compared to carrying (a respectable) 32 pounds. As pictured at left, I did succeed in destroying a trekking pole this morning. But I'm getting ahead of myself. The weather forecast called for thunderstorms today, with the thrust of the really nasty rain not due until later this afternoon. And yet, at exactly 915 this morning, a mere hour after I started, SHEETS of rain came out of the sky...for 45 minutes. It might've been the most rain I've seen come down in my life, and it was so much that it was actually comical. Naturally, I deployed the much dreaded rain jacket, which proved about as useful as the dirt under my fingernails. I mean, I LOOKED like I cared about keeping my base layer dry, but so I'm not being deceptive, I was soaked in less than 3 minutes. A short time later, I crossed a northbound hiker with no shirt on. He seemed pretty comfortable, judging by the catchy little tune he was singing. Not an hour prior to the deluge, the hot topic on the trail was when the rain was coming. (Ahem...915.) The good news? It was warm outside.Back to the demolished trekking pole. How did I manage this you ask? Well, I fell of course! While traipsing down Jacobs Ladder with an inch of mud on my boots, I bit the dust. Or more accurately, the mud. I actually thought the whole incident was funny, until it slowly occurred to me that my tent DEPENDS on my trekking poles for support. Woops. Add a trip to the outfitters to the "to do" list. Despite the rain, mud, broken equipment, falls, (okay just one fall today), and a base layer that will never, ever smell laundry fresh again, it was a really good day to hike. I hiked the prescribed 7.6 miles in a little under 4 hours, with little protest from foot or body. Phil (from Cabin in the Woods) fetched me up around 1215, and took me to the NOC so I could replace my trekking poles. Then, he kindly deposited me at a roadside diner maybe 3 miles from the cabin, with the understanding I'd walk back. I ate a bacon cheeseburger, with relish. Well, it didn't have relish ON it, but it didn't stand a snowballs chance in Hell in front of my face. Just when I thought I'd be a bit over on carbs and fat after the cheeseburger, I got to climb a bastardly one mile walk up to the cabins after leaving the highway.My left foot feels much better. It's still not 100% and it aches a little, but I think it's good enough to go. The true test will be tomorrow when I head for Fontana Dam (finally!) under full pack weight. If I don't have any major issues with that task, I'll start the Smokey Mountains on Sunday. Now, I'm going to attempt to make myself smell better, by taking a shower. Smelling shower fresh might only last for 20 minutes, but I'll gladly accept it!