Date: 2017-04-28
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light rain

I made it to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, one of my goals. If anyone tells you it's 6 miles from the shelter, all downhill, don't believe them! There's no such thing on the AT. But let me be positive tonight because it really was a good day. I slept ok in my tent. And, hey, after almost a month, and after complaining to you last night that those last 6 inches are so hard getting down into the tent...this morning I noticed my sleeping mat. All folded up it's about 6 inches thick. Now I've been throwing that thing in the tent every night, and it just dawned on me that I can just put it by the door and I can kneel onto that when I get in! Pain free and problem solved!I want to go back to yesterday, in the pouring rain. We came to a shelter directly on the trail, so naturally everyone was stopping there for a rest and to take a break from the weather. I sat down on the log at the entrance and dropped my bag right behind me. It was covered with a very wet pack cover and I just let it fall back onto the platform. There were several people inside behind me. Suddenly I saw a man all huddled up against the wall, all dressed in black, not saying a word. I got the feeling he was not pleased with all the people stopping in. When I got ready to leave I picked up my pack and of course the floor had gotten a little wet. Then he said, "Well, so much for keeping the inside of this place dry." I didn't say a word, but just moved on. He was not someone I wanted to tussle with. There was another girl there making herself a cup of coffee. Her name is Ariana. Later she passed me up, and I saw her again at the next shelter. She was very enthusiastic and friendly. This morning when I was a little more than a mile into my hike, I met her coming towards me. I said, "What are you doing going the wrong way?"She had climbed that mile-plus to go to the "Jump Off" point to see the sunrise! Then she was hiking back to the shelter to get ready for the day. Several hours later she passed me, flying down the trail. Now there's a hiker who is enjoying every moment and the trail is apparently not one bit difficult for her. Don't I wish!One more: I met a young man coming toward me this morning. I noticed right away he had only one arm. We spoke a bit and then exchanged names. His trail name is "Blessed." Another man came down the trail and joined our conversation. He asked Blessed how his day was going. He answered, "It's the best day of my life!" What an inspiration! There were two especially challenging spots today to get down. I stood at the top and just really was stumped, both times. I ended up taking off my pack and set it down as low as I safely could, then scooted down on my bottom, and reached back and pulled my pack down to me. I made it. Phew!At about one mile to go, I saw a man coming toward me. It was Cousin Chuck! He had driven up from Atlanta and had hiked up to greet me. What a joy! He is one of the most delightful persons I know. We hiked the mile down together, he carrying my heavy pack and me carrying his light day pack. We spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful NOC (you can call it the N-O-C, or "the knock"). It's a very cool place, and like last year, I would encourage any families who like adventure to check it out. Things to do for all ages.Chuck and I had lunch together and scouted around a little, and then he headed back to Atlanta. Thank you, Chuck, for a wonderful afternoon!I was tempted to want to stay another day, but I found out no bunks are available tomorrow night, so I hustled around and got my laundry done, my Smoky Mountain Permit bought and printed, and collected Journey's drop box. There was enough there that I didn't have to buy much at all for the next few day's supplies.Did you cstch that? I got my Smokies permit. Last year I did not do that. Last year it was at this point that I was just beginning to flounder. I could see the huge climbs I have in the next couple of days, and I was having my doubts. And two days later, I left the trail. So my plan is to not let that happen this year. I will try to leave here early in the morning and I will somehow climb out of this deep gorge, no matter how long it takes. My next goal is Fontana Dam. So all you pray-ers out there, pray that I have physical strength and mental resolve the next few days!