Date: 2005-04-26
From: Beauty Spot Gap

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.2

Day 46At 8:30 a.m. I was on the trail. The trail was not too bad as far as rocks and roots today. At least I had room to plant my feet where it was smooth and easier on my feet. Vegetation was scarce for the most part except for a few areas. There was a new flower blooming. The stem is tall with several purple blooms on it. I was in a hurry so did not get a picture but plan to get one tomorrow if I see it. As I was nearing the end of my hike I saw the white tail of a deer running away and a squirrel. Last night while tenting I heard an animal sound twice that woke me up and do not know what they were. The second one may have been a screech owl but am not for sure. The other sound woke me up but I did not hear it again.I headed out 5 minutes before Snowman this morning and he soon passed me. It was 5.3 miles to the shelter where I stopped for lunch. There were a couple of long steep climbs for me and so when I stopped I was not sure whether I would stay or go on. My feet feel better today and so after eating my left over ramen noodles I could not finish last night and heated water for coffee, I decided to go another 6.9 miles to the hostel at Greasy Creek Gap. As I was setting up to heat my noodles and water at the shelter Snowman pulled out the crossbars to my stove that the pot sits on and asked me if they were mine. They were. I had attempted to heat water for coffee this morning but the stove would not stay lit so I gave up trying since it was windy and cold and I wanted to start hiking to warm up. When I was putting the stove away I remember putting the crossbars on the ground while I emptied the alcohol out of the stove and I forgot to put the bars in the bag. I guess I need someone to watch over me after all.While at the shelter a hiker named Morel was using his alcohol stove and it started spewing alcohol out and he tried blowing the fire out and ended up knocking the stove over. It went down on his lap and onto the ground still burning. His pants burned a little but his food bag was pretty scorched. He was trying to duct tape it together and I remembered that I had an extra one since T-2 left so I gave it to him. I know I kept it for a reason.The day was cold and windy. The weather forecast was for rain showers today and thunderstorms in the afternoon. I thought I would get to Greasy Creek Friendly before it rained, if it did. When I had 4 miles left to go to the hostel it started to sprinkle and by the time I had climbed to the top the sky was getting dark. I stopped to get my raingear on and put my packcover on and hiked as fast as I could to get here. Soon it was raining harder but it was the wind that was worse. I kept going along the ridge and everytime I started down I thought I was going to the gap. A south bound hiker, Skip, that had shown up just before I left the shelter at lunch said to watch for the green paint on the trees along the trail that lead to the hostel. I was praying that the gap would be marked and that there would be direction to the hostel. The gap was marked and there was a note on the sign from Draggin saying this was the best hostel yet. The trail started out on an old road down about 0.6 mile. I had to watch where I stepped, as well as watch for the green paint on the trees. I had to back up once to make sure I had not missed a green arrow showing a turn. Because of the rain the road was also muddy and further down it was like a pond. I was so happy that I was almost here and was hoping that they had room for me. I was the last one to arrive. They have a menu from which I selected a deluxe turkey sandwich, doritos, and a coke. The bunk house is unheated and has 6 bunks. I shared it with Spry, Bearbait, and Montreal. Inside the house were Kutsa, Lowgear, Jakebrake, Hopper, and Spike to take advantage of the warmth. I have a maildrop here but I really do not have room for it. I will see if it can be mailed back home since the meals are for 2 people instead of one (I had anticipated T-2 being with me but since he got on further down the trail he did not make it this far.) I can resupply at Kincora Hostel when I get there in a few days.