Date: 2019-03-15
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Fullhardt Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

I slept a little better last night, still getting numb on my side and having to roll over quite a bit then choosing to sleep on my stomach for a while. I feel like I was semi awake most of the night and I could hear sand bag lightly snoring but nothing compared to packmule. I started getting dressed under my quilt a little after 7, and I was the last one to leave camp being the only one who ate breakfast. I departed around 8:15 heading South toward fullhardt shelter. With the climbing yesterday and also today I started to feel like I was getting blisters on my heels even though I had put leukotape on them before leaving stanimals hostel on Tuesday as a precaution. With the ascent my heel rubs on the back inside of my boot and to prevent the friction I wear liner socks with wool socks and the tape was an added layer. I stopped at Wilson Creek shelter for lunch but decided not to take my boots off to look. I think I kind of already knew but didn't want to have to deal with it until I was in for the night. there were several ups and downs in today's hike and many of the shelters are dry because they are at the top of mountains and The Creeks are down below so I refilled my water when the opportunity and necessity arose and I drank 2 liters today and was very thirsty. The forecast I saw in Glasgow was rain last night and all day today 80%. Lucky for me it didn't rain last night and while I did get caught in a quick shower today I stopped right away, covered my pack and myself with rain gear. The pain from my feet made it very difficult to hike today and I took Advil at every opportunity I had. I also listened to music to try to keep my mind off it. None the less the pain continued and about two and a half miles from fullhardt shelter I called Brian for some moral support. I was contemplating if I saw a tent spot to claim it for the night and not hike as far as I had planned because to get to the shelter I had one more steep climb in front of me. After talking with Brian I decided to rest for a few minutes as often as needed during the last mile of ascent. My last rest was at 4 tenths of a mile or halfway through my final climb. It was made more difficult because I was carrying extra water for tonight and tomorrow morning. These mountain top shelters don't have water and although the one I was heading to uses a sistern to collect rain water from the roof I had no way to know if it had any in it. So I lugged 2 liters up the mountain, an extra 4.5 lbs of water. When I arrived at the shelter it was vacant. It's an older shelter but clean and the privy was a short walk that is void of elevation thank goodness! The wind however blows right into the shelter and thus I went to the privy to contemplate putting up my tent or staying in the shelter. I've heard the bathroom is a good place to think. ? I decided to sleep in a corner of the shelter that had the most protection from the wind and set up shop, located the sistern and confirmed it has water. This means I can use an extra cup of water and have vanilla pudding with chocolate chips! Which I did of course, before my dinner. No regrets. I also chose soup for dinner which uses 2 cups of water. I feel I need the water intake and it just sounded better than black beans and rice tonight. I'm thankful that the shelter has a metal plate in one corner of the floor. I can safely use my stove on it and I would otherwise have to eat cold because the wind would make it impossible to use my stove on the picnic table. I haven't seen anyone all day. I undressed my feet and got my safety pin, sanitizer and bandages out. Sitting at the picnic table dressed in my wool leggings and top I examined the specimens and performed the needed task of popping and bandaging and then taping the bandages with leukotape. I have 5 miles into Daleville tomorrow morning and I will get a room, get some epsom salts and call it a nero so I can take care of me. A shower, first aid and much needed sleep. I'm really looking forward to it! But for tonight I have my pepper blaster by my pillow, thanks to one of my clients whom I also consider a friend. I wish she wasn't moving so far away and I hope now that we have the fifth wheel we will see her again. She gave me the pepper blaster and I love having it with me when I'm alone. You just never know when the bears will wake up hungry.