Date: 2010-03-26
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi All Journal Readers,I stayed the night of Mar 25 at the Hiker Hostel. The hostel has private bunks with little curtains to pull to make them private. A hiker named Catfish, Damon and another boy his name didn't stick in my head, Cara (Austrailian) and Micah (New Zealand) girls slept in upstairs room. There were several other guests. Breakfast was served at 7:30 they always make a call for breakfast 15 min prior to serving. All the hikers were up and ready to go hiking. After breakfast, Josh or Leigh will annouce what hikers are going on what shuttle. Catfish, Cara, Micah and I were on Josh's shuttle to Springer Mountain. We started our hike at Springer Mountain parking lot it was somewhat chilly misty rain. Catfish headed out, then Cara, Micah and me. Of coure they were all faster than I. I lost my footing went down a little bit because the rocks were slick. I finally made it to the summit. It was foggy, wind was blowing no view this day. This time I made sure to sign my name on the register. Two Feathers was there I think that was his name he asked my name, my age, and how far I was going and signed me in officially. Cara, Miah took my picture by the plaques and then it was time to go before the wind blew me off the mountain. Going back down the mountain was fairly easy. The ups and downs are not easy. I stopped at Stover Creek Shelter to rest and of coure I had mistakenly packed TP close to the bottom of my pack and had to unpack everything to get it. Then after doing my business I went back to my pack which was all over the place. As I was standing there talking to myself and fuming about my backpack. I turned around there was a young man coming in to rest at the shelter. He was from Belguim. We talked for awhile he said that he also had a new pack and like his old one better and that he bought it because the retailer suggested it. I asked him if he was going to Hawk Mountain and he said "He thought he was just going to relax and continue on tomorrow. I got packed up and continued onward to Hawk Mountain shelter. I got back on the trail and as I was going down the trail I came to a creek crossing a gentleman hiker was sitting there smoking. I recognized him as the gentleman whom I met coming up Springer as I was going down. He told me to visit Long Creek Falls as they were very beautiful and I should go off trail to see them as most hikers were going by them. Then he asked me if I had a sister hiking on the trail because he had seen someone that looked like me, I said No. Then he repeated the same thing as he had previously about the falls. I continued on wondering what was so important about Long Creek Falls. I come to the sign saying Long Creek Falls thought about taking the trail to see them but waas to tired and the trail looked like it was longer than I wanted to go. So I decided to get on down the trail. As I am hiking and getting more tired, pack is getting heavier, the ups and downs are getting more difficult and I am thinking where is that shelter. I keep hiking I say to myself it has to be here, my knee is huring a little. I am feeling the weight of the pack on my left ankle then I finally see the sign "Hawk Mountain Shelter". I say to myself Thank GOD I'm here. If that sign had not appeared I was gonna sit down and cry.As I was coming off trail Catfish, Cara, Micah were all glad to see me. Everyone else introduced themselves to me I was so exhausted I don't remember their names. I probably seemed like a grouch to everyone. I found a tent spot all I wanted to do was get my tent up and lay down. One nice yound lady offered to help me an asked if my spot was a good one, I said "It doesn't matter I just want to get the tent set up and lay down" not meaning to be rude but I guess I was. Sorry young lady. Got my tent up went to the privy feeling better wasn't going to eat but decided to fix my supper. Cara helped me light my stove because the wind was blowing. Cooked inside the shelter, lost my spoon on the trail and some nice young fellow had found it and returned it to me. So I got to eat. It was still light and I told everyone I had to rest and went to my tent. It was getting chilly got into my sleeping bag real quick to get warm. I got a little chilly during the night, my Big Agnes 15% bag works better than my old one. I didn't sleep well, the wind blew all night and sounded like big snow storm. I really was debating about whether to hike the next day. I was thinking maybe I'll just stay in my tent if there is snow on the ground. That is what I kept thinking all night.Life is a climb, but the view is Great"Jannie