Date: 2006-04-18
From: Walnut Spring Shelter

To: Hot Springs Campground
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Started:Walnut Mtn. Shelter,7:45amFinished:Hot Springs CampGround, 3:00pmSleeping:TentMiles:12.1 MilesTotal Miles AT:270.7 Miles(w/approach trail) 279.5 MilesI am laying in my tent at 5:30am I have been awake for a while listening to a thunder storm move in over my head. First you hear the thunder way off in the distance, then the temperature drops as the wind ushers in a cold front laden with the smell of rain. My tent glows here and there as the light flashes over head (a natural light show) then the rain. The sounds of rain hitting my canopy is mesmerizing. Off in the distance a bird begins it's song, then another. Then a rooster crows here, then there, each announcing its territory. The rain lightning and thunder come harder. and I decide to stop writing and just listen.Yesterday had it's moments as every day does on the trail. It was a normal progression of miles and choice moments to sit and rest ones sore feet. There is one more call that tends to come on quickly, sometimes unexpectedly for a 53 year old broad. It's the I 'gotta pee NOW' call in the wild. As I was decending into Hot Springs, I was suddenly struck by the urge. I knew that I had very litte time to handle the situation as I frantically looked up and down the path for unsuspecting passers by. as I struggled to release my pack the urge increased (another BAD sign) I dropped my pack on a large fallen tree trunk and began to fight with botton and zipper. My brain has a habit of telling my bladder to release as soon as I touch my fly. Fumbling with a botton had put me in the catagory of..."I am peeing down my leg," and, of course my pants aren't off yet. Frantically, wildly I rip my pants down, as they drop to my ankles I continue to pee all over them. I tip backwards in an effor! to not totally saturate my clothes with urine and my hand strikes my resting backpack. In slow motion it rolls off the log and in a kind of tumbling, bouncing jesture and begins it's own decent down the mountain at an eighty degree angle.I stood there with my wet britches around my wet socks, my lily white butt exposed to the air, screaming inside my head...PLEEEEEEEASE...GOD...MAKE...IT...STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!" It came to rest about forty feet below me. I was alone. So. I pulled up my wet pants and took my life in my own hands and retrieved the stinking pack. FYI trails are compacted earth. The moment you step of the trail into the woods you have no idea how deep the forest floor is with leaves, etc. Your footing is so bad you can end up like the backpack, roling down a step enbankmment. I used treking poles too feel my way down, holding onto smalll trees to keep from slipping. When I reached my pack, I managed to get it on (scarey) and pulled my way back up the embankment. Oh, my pants had dried by the time I hit Hot Springs.Bluebird Reports: When removing your pack on the trail. NEVER turn your back to the the down side of the mountain. It can pull you over the side with you still in the pack. Also lay your pack down to the inside of the trail. It may not keep you from peeing your pants, but it will keep you from having to do an on site pack rescue.      FYI - Mala was at the campgroud when I got there. He cooked 50 pounds of hamburges for hungry hikers. Good ol' Mala.