Date: 2003-06-05
From: Trout Creek, VA 620

To: VA 624
Miles today: 7.0

   I felt so much better this morning when I woke up! I began thinking that I had the 24 hour illness that had been making the rounds on the trail. I made breakfast; it stayed down. Progress. I decided that I was well enough to try to hike a small section.    One guy at the shelter, Matt, was talking about his friends picking him up today. I asked him if I could catch a ride with them to pick up part of the section that I had missed yesterday when I got sick. Sure, he said, I don't think that would be a problem.   I gathered some snacks and water for the hike and also decided to bring my book, so I could sit up on Dragon's Tooth and read for awhile. Last year, I had thought about what a great place it would be to sit and read up on Dragon's Tooth, a rock formation that juts up into the air. Last year I didn't have time, but this year I do! I wrapped all the stuff I needed for the day in my rain jacket, trick that Windex '01 had taught me.    I started up the first climb, heading to Pickle Branch Shelter. The shelter is a half mile off the trail, but I had the time to go check it out. The shelter is not used very often, as proven by the shelter register. I got read entried by some of my friends from last year. I really enjoyed reading Pete and Jagged's entries. Brought back good memories.   I continued on and realized that I was coming up to the place where I had seen 4 bears; 3 cubs and a momma. Werewolf and I had just stood in trail, talking loudly and watching the cubs play near the trail. Momma bear must not have been too conserned, because the cubs played for about 5 minutes or so before they started moving towards her. I think Werewolf was a little scared. Ok, so I was too. :) Ah, the memories.   I continued my hike to Dragon's Tooth and realized that it was warmer than I had thought it would be, and I was running out of water. Not good as I still wanted to sit and read on top Dragon's Tooth.    When I got to Dragon's Tooth, I had it all to myself for about an hour. I sat up there and snacked and took a short nap and read my book. It was great to sit up there are relax.    As I was getting ready to leave, I realized that I wasn't feeling so good again. I started coughing heavily and ended up throwing up again, right on the top of Dragon's Tooth. Yuck. I needed to get back to the hostel.   I started down the other side of Dragon's Tooth, which was hard climb down. I was now shaking and very unsteady. I was hoping someone who I knew would come past me and help me the rest of the way to the hostel. No such luck. One thru hiker past me, but he was too intent on getting to the hostel to get a bed, that he said "There are others behind me that will pick up your dead body if need be." Thanks a lot, man. Even though you were so rude, I will make it a point to help you out if you need it. I don't ever want to make some feel as hopeless as I felt as you pass me. I really needed the help today.   I continued on hoping someone else would come. As I got to the road, I noticed a cooler and a seat. Trail Magic! The cooler was empty, but I was very glad to sit down before continuing to the hostel. AS I was sitting, a car drove up and the guy bounded up the trail. I got to meet Southpaw '95, the owner of the cooler. He offered me a ride back to the hostel. I almost cried, cause it was just what I needed; I was feeling very sick again. Nemo came up to the road as Southpaw was carrying his cooler down.    I went back to the hostel and took a nap. Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow.