Date: 2016-04-27
From: Quarter-Point Hostel

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: scattered clouds

8:23 a.m. I was finally out of the hostel and on the way to get a ride to the Trail. My pack seemed to be only about 34 pounds on their scale -- can't say it felt very light. One of the guys I was staying with, Hong Kong Steve, had an identical pack to mine, weighing under 20 pounds. Another guy, Sparky, had about the same weight. I don't know how they do it, and I also don't know why they bother with slack-packing. It's expensive, plus they can't be carrying much less weight in their day-packs. And this is an easy section of trail besides!.I was dropped off at the Trail, heading uphill right away, and quickly started meeting hikers: Vermont (from guess where), then Sunray and Chris-Cross (Switzerland). Next I saw "the Spaniard" just sitting at the top of Walker Mountain, which is the 3/4 point: 547 miles to go! He's from Spain, of course.It was less muggy after the rain last night. High sixties and mostly cloudy make pretty nice hiking weather. I say that mostly when I'm going downhill.Nice to have the trail almost to myself in the morning. Coming down Big Walker Mountain, I found it pretty nice easy Trail, I started looking forward to most of the rest of the day this way. Yesterday got so crowded in the afternoon with NOBOs, who must have all ended up at Knot Maul Shelter. Going downhill just 2 hours into my hiking this morning, my legs felt very loose, and yet just stopping for a minute to talk to somebody (which I do quite often) they start to tighten up again. Interesting. I like the loose feeling, but that makes me tend to keep going or not stop as often as I probably should to rest.1/4 hour of Trail work yesterday. So far, same today. Half hour more at noon time: 6 inch Hickory leaner with vines. Took a little while, but I made it passable. Met in afternoon: A-Bear, Zebra, Weaver, Diesel, Cold Snap, El Tejano, Farmer, Kaio, Nike, I guess everybody took a lunch break same time I did. At one point today I'd had 14 hikers, all spread out. Yesterday, I might have had that many in a half hour sometimes. I like them spread out better. Flatwoods from Florida, Portuguese, Wonder, Ginger & Wild Bill (his dad). Off-and-on sprinkles helped to keep the humidity up & the temperature down, but soon it felt like it was really rainingAt the Red Barn Restaurant, where I stopped to eat & pick up a package (& get out of the periodic rain): Owl, Medicine Man, Shaggy (4th), Ahab, Stingy, Justice, Polar Bear, Cheena, Conundrum, Under-the-radar & Off-the-Grid (Bros), Young Cogswell, Squints. 2-Bananas & Hook (Wis). Back on Trail: McFly, Kenya,I've been seeing a lot of poison ivy coming up in these former pasture areas. Trail magic at old school building, including toilet paper. Then came a very noisy power line and then a quieter one. Then into the woods. Finally came to first stream. Six more crossings (only one with bridge) and then the shelter. I am hoping that can be done before dark which is like an hour. I guess I spent too much time at the restaurant! That included some time across the road to use the ATM ¢ I'd just received my cards in the mail.Made it to Louise Chatfield Shelter before dark. There were The Professor, Captain Ahab (Ger), & Missing Person. I had expected it to be full, after seeing so many hikers [around 40] today. Must be between Bubbles.