Date: 2006-04-09
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Nothing to complain about today.I woke up early, slipped on my shoes and headed back to Max Patch. I missed sunrise by about half an hour, but the walk was worth every step.First, a small lesson about staying on trail. Because I'd done this stretch already I wasn't worried about passing each blaze. As soon as I saw open grass I headed into it thinking I was on my way to the summit. I wasn't. It was just a patch of field leading me around one side. Almost as easy to get lost on grass as in the woods, fields as big as these are hard to find landmarks in. Very easy to lose direction.Back on trail I headed for the summit. I found the little slab on the top with the USGS marker. From here your view is 360. Like other experiences so far, this one was all for me. In bright morning light I saw banks of --- lifting off the peaks. Fog and mist filled the lower valleys, flowing like rivers. Bright white light reflected back off everything.I was at 4600 feet, not the highest peak around. I looked back over the jagged high ridge I'd followed over most of the Smokies. Right at eye level the observation tower on Mt. Camerer shone like a bright jewel. Just 2 mornings before I'd had breakfast all the way back there with the Grease Monkey.Back at camp the boy scouts had packed and gone. Everyone else was moving slowly. Nice to see a morning with no rush. I made a cup of tea and bowl of oatmeal with Carnation Instant Breakfast and went around to eat with the Kentuckians. They were in fine spirits. Don't know if I've met a happier bunch of guys. The night before, Sherpa had shown me how to hand roll a cigarette. Mallace had tossed me a pouch of tobacco and papers. I rolled a loose but effective one to have with my tea.Irish pulled out as I fumbled my stuff into my pack and dried my tent. Supersize pulled out a few minutes before me. The Kentuckies had called me around back again for a final morning social. Again they shared their poptarts as they stirred up a main course. They were only doing 7 miles to the next shelter and I was out for a 15 mile day. I thanked them for everything and hope paths cross again, maybe in Hot Springs.Trail was pretty easy going today, only a couple bigger uphills, but mostly down. Leg and shin splints didn't bother me at all, but I know still to be careful. I used my poles all the way to cushion every step of my left foot. I didn't leave Roaring Fork until 11:00 but still the miles passed quickly. I was at Deer Park by 5:30. No record, but pretty respectable on a bum leg.Five guys in good spirits when I got here. The group included Supersize, Bear Can, Bud and a few others, Car Bomb and Elspeth arrived as I was eating a double shot of ramen.I was yawning all through the after dinner conversation and turned in early, well before hiker's midnight. Thought I might read a bit but fell straight to sleep. I want to be on the trail in the morning by 6:00. Just 4 miles to Hot Springs and a greasy diner breakfast. All the usual town stuff to follow. Hot Springs is tiny but resorty, so probably a little pricey. Not sure if there's decent resupply, but I'm picking up stuff I'd mailed ahead. Shower will be nice, but I'll also stop for a steam bath along the way to freshen my more offensive parts. Hope I don't get arrested for wearing what's left of my shorts in Polite Society. Andrew's not sending my other shorts or kilt until Erwin.A few more winks. Moon is bright. I'd love to head out on a dark trail. Cat nap first.