Date: 2011-05-25
From: Day 76 Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Day 77 Jennings Creek
Miles today: 16.9

The night was definitely a hikers delight. No rain, no storms just a beautiful night. I was awakened at 4:30 by a very loud Wippowill right outside my tent, so I covered my ears and went back to sleep until a more civilized time of 7:30. Like I said it was a perfect night so my tent and everything else was totally dry and a pleasure to pack up. We left camp at 8:45 and right away it's uphill 800' in 2.4 miles. The weather is perfect for hiking.  It's 67*, clear sky and full sun. Then it's 6 miles of Virginia Flat ending @ Bobblets Shelter. This shelter is off the trail by .2 mile but it has a good water nearby, so we go in and have lunch. While eating lunch, Cappy hikes in. He explains his right knee is really bothering him and it is quite swollen. Luckily he has cell service so he is going to call a nearby friend for help.  Everyone wishes him a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him once again on the trail north. While reading the shelter log we learned Toaster had a bad case of poison ivy & a stomach virus  she was going for help and would be back on the trail ASAP. Leaving the shelter it's again uphill 600' then back down 600' all in about 1.5 miles. Then back up 700' in 3/4 mile.  By now the humidity is really intense and is having an detrimental  effect on my hiking. I drink often and snack a lot. When we cross a stream I soak my shirt but I am still suffering. Next was a long 900' downhill covering 2 miles ending at Cove Mountain Shelter. This shelter is right in the trail but there is no water supply, so we have a quick snack and move on. We start with 2 more miles of Virginia Flat, now a steep 1000' downhill in just 2 miles to Jennings Creek and our home for the night. It's 5:15.  By now sweat is pouring out everywhere but the temperature is only 72*, it's the humidity that's the problem. The creek is wide and deep enough for swimming and many hikers are in the water. Tramp went all the way in but I only got my feet wet and quickly cooled off. Being so hot, I didn't want to have a heart attack by going any further into the frigid water. Today the trail was the trail, not too tough but not too easy either. Once again in addition to the great views, courtesy of the full sun, it was the miles and miles of Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron in full bloom that always brings a smile to my face as I inhale their perfume while I hike along the trail.  Tonight we'll pitch our tents near the creek and because we believe it is not going to rain, we will not put on the tent rain fly, but we have them out and ready if needed. This will be the first night Tramp has gone without the rain fly, my first was just before Damascus.  The many climbs and the humidity really wore me out today and I am quite tired. After setting up camp and having dinner, Tramp and I spent some quality time swapping stories while finishing off the last of the Jamison's he hiked out from Troutville, after that, the day didn't seem so bad after all. I'm still on page 68, the very last entry (Jennings Creek) in the A. T. Guide by David Miller  (the green book)Temps, it's 69* in my tent right now (10:00) and we are expecting a clear sky all night. There is no wind and the only sounds I can hear are from the swollen creek as it flows swiftly over the rocks. Once again life is beautiful on my piece of Appalachian Trail, after a good but hard day of hiking.Total AT miles hiked today 16.9Nite all