Date: 2007-07-27
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Lick Creek
Miles today: 15.9

Took forever to get started today. I was so comfortable in my sleeping bag in the dry shelter. I was up at dawn but was reading the log, one that went back to last year's southbounders, folks I actually know. From what they wrote, I am glad that I took the high water (now actual AT) route. It might have been pretty (I'm guessing as its near water), but I think it was very wet (every sobo from lst year got their feet wet), very challenging and full of in your face rhodos. Steve started to pack up around 7 and about 7:30, Ann popped in. She was the hiker I'd seen tented just north of the shelter last night. Her book was misleading as to where the shelter was and so she was just checking it out. Gob had told me about meeting her and I was glad to finally catch her. She said she had heard of me too, that she was told I had long legs and moved fast. What a compliment. I guess my hiking skills have improved a bit since starting out at Katahdin last year!She has three more days than me to get to Damascus so I guess we won't be hiking together. In fact she is only going to the next shelter tonight in hopes that she can get dried out. I'll be pushing on past there today.   Steve leaves and I wish him well on his hike. He's not carrying a shelter of any kind, so the rain and the placement of permanent shelters along the trail has limited his mileage. I finally leave the shelter at 10:18. The next ten miles are as Chief had told me they would me, hard rock slab stuff. At times similar to PA and MD. Sometimes its exposed ledges (but without a view), but mostly its just wobbly rocks you either step on, over or around. Its very humid and the sky is covered in a thick white veil of haze. There are several places to hike a few yards off trail to a view of Burkes Garden (God's Thumbprint), but you can't see anything due to the haze. And its beginning to thunder. I pass three kids going north, two guys and a girl who started at Springer but are getting off trail at Bland. I get a little advice on the trail and camping at Lick Creek. Nice folks. Man, those ten miles took forever. I don't know why I am moving so slow today. There are so many puds, I keep thinking I am at the final climb to the shelter. Finally, I do make the final climb, and a climb it is. Why does it seem that the trail is only switched backed on the south side of the mountain?I pass Ann coming back down the mountain, retracing her steps as she thinks she lost her glasses. I push on to the shelter, a nice fou sided enclosed structure, an old fire warden's cabin. I find Ann's glasses and turn to go outside and holler for her, but she is approaching the cabin. She decides she needs a day of rest and pampering as soon as she gets to town as she must be worn down if she is doing stupid things like misplacing her glasses. I'm thinking I need several days of rest as ny attitude is getting poor due to lack of shower, clean clothes, real food, rest.Would have loved to stay at this shelter as I bet it gets good sunsets and sunrises and for the time being the sun is out and the wind is blowing. Perfect weather. (I did skirt the rain today - I guess leaving late paid off in that respect.) Before I leave Ann to hike doen the mountain, I find out that the other sobo I had been chasing, Booger and her dog Buddy, must have gotten off the trail due to a leg injury. Bummer.The hike from the shelter goes across Chestnut Ridge which is a freshly mowed field. Again, would have had some really nice views if not for the haze. Then its downhill to the campsite at Lick Creek. I am able to set up camp before dark, but have to eat dinner in the dark. Really tired. I don't know what is zapping my energy and enthusiasm. Maybe this intense humidity? You can practically see it!The owls are hooting.