Date: 2003-08-03
From: Goose Pond Road 

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

It was nice camping out, but quite humid, so everything was a bit damp. It was a pretty good night though, cool enough. I slept the best I had in several nights. Thankfully. I like sleeping well.We got up and going and were on the trail at 9am sharp. Not so early, but early enough. Today was a rough day. We climbed a total of over 3500ft, and a lot of it was fairly steep. With the high humidity, I was drenched with sweat today, head to toe. I could wring out my shorts and my shirt. Yick. The temperature wasn't too hot, maybe 80, but my God, it was humid! Everyone said they think they sweated the most today of any day so far. It's going to make putting on those wet clothes and slimy backpack in the morning SO much fun. I could do without being sticky, sweaty all day long, but I guess I have to just grin and bear it.It was a rough 14 miles today. Around 3pm, I reached the top of Smarts Mountain, climbed the firetower to get a better view of the non-view, then went to the Firewardens Cabin to take a break and wait for Hotdog. It began to thunder, making me wonder if our day might end at the Cabin. Flowcefus showed up and said Hotdog wasn't far behind. So I waited. The storm seemed to be getting closer. I waited. It started raining, lightly, but no more thunder. Then it quit raining. I waited. Where the heck was Hotdog? When a section hiker showed up and said he didn't pass him, I thought he probably skipped the tower and cabin, put his head down and headed off the mountain before the storm came. At 4pm, I headed north.I was moving pretty quickly, down the nice gentle slope, expecting to see Hotdog taking a break. Of course, if he thought I had gone on, he would be trying to catch me. I had a 3-1/2mi downhill, then a steep up, then some ups and downs to the shelter. I made the 5-plus miles in 2 hours. And was still drenched in sweat.When I got up the blue blaze trail to the shelter, I saw Patience, Hungry Hiker, Notes, Puff Puff, Snappy, Recycled, Bree, and... Hotdog! He DID blow by the Cabin! AND, I am finally able to get rid of the package of waffles I picked up yesterday on the trail. I knew they had fallen off of someone's pack, and as it turns out, it was Puff Puff and Snappy's! Aaahhh... good to be at the shelter after a long day, and good to get rid of some extra weight.There is also a southbound section hiker here, but I didn't catch his name. All of us NOBOs are headed to Glencliff tomorrow, where there is a hostel, with SHOWERS and LAUNDRY, if we chose to take advantage. According to the map, the terrain looks a lot easier than today's. That would be good, because right out of Glencliff, we have a 3500ft climb! I am looking forward to it, and dreading it at the same time. Dread isn't the right word. I know the climbs in the next two states will be difficult, but will be quite rewarding too.Today was one of those days that, while huffing and puffing my way slowly uphill, once I got to the top, I felt good about it. I feel good about the whole day. Because I survived. I conquered. It was difficult, and I made it. I am a competitive person, and I like when I succeed at a physical challenge. I feel good about myself. I am worn out and sore, but I feel good. More challenges to come... lucky me!