Date: 2018-05-23
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Campsite at mile 689.1
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Almost had to give these two older southbound men in the shelter a talking to. They were still chatting away after 8:30 pm! They weren¢t even talking quietly - one was lying down in the shelter and the other was standing outside. And they spend all dang day together - they can¢t talk then?The mice were gnawing at something last night, but stayed away from my stuff. I had to put on my wet cold grimy clothes from yesterday- yuck. The two southbounders said there were two streams to ford within the first quarter mile of the trail and to keep camp shoes on for that part. I was a little nervous about going on my own so I waited until Hills was ready to go. He had no problems hopping across the rocks in his trail shoes, but he¢s 6¢5¢. I did walk through the water in my flip flops - it was just easier but the water wasn¢t too deep. After the second crossing, I gave Hills the thumbs up, and he keep going while I put my trail runners on.I was pretty grumpy all morning. I was so soggy and filthy I could hardly stand to be in my own skin. The trail was slippery and I had two bad falls. Bug bites everywhere! And it looked like it would rain any minute.While I was having my PB&J, two older German guys stopped to talk (actually only one speaks English). We leap-frogged a few times, and then I passed them at the beginning of a horrible knife¢s edge ridge, and I was determined to stay ahead of them. I staggered into Niday Shelter, totally out of steam at 3:30.Before getting on the trail, I had decided to stay at Niday, and then do 17 miles to a hostel tomorrow. Dreamcatcher and I figured out a plan where we could go a few miles farther today to camp so tomorrow won¢t be so long. When I got to Niday, Hills said Dreamcatcher had left 8 minutes before. I had a snack and some electrolyte drink and got ready for the final push. Catch It was making a great fire and while he was stoking it, he potted a maple sapling in a hollow log. He said Dreamcatcher had tried to talk him into camping with us and building a fire there, but his feet hurt too much. The Germans arrived (yay for me for staying ahead) and asked me if I was staying at the shelter. I explained where I was going and they packed up and started following me. Energized after my break, I was going as fast as I could so they wouldn¢t pass me. And then suddenly they weren¢t there - maybe they decided to go back to Niday?I made it to camp and Dreamcatcher was all set up. This is such a nice spot right next to a stream and it turned into a beautiful evening. The site is at the bottom of our next big ascent and while I ate dinner, I watched one hiker after another lope up the hill. Some hikers won¢t quit until there is no daylight. We tried to start a fire with my stove fuel but just couldn¢t keep it going.Dreamcatcher said it looked someone was going to join us and I asked if it looked like that someone could start a fire. It was Caroline from the UK and when she asked if she could join us, we didn¢t inquire as to her fire-making ability. She is also under that three-month visa deadline. So nice to go to sleep to the sound of the stream.