Date: 2016-03-21
From: Nantahala, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, so last night was cold. Started snowing later afternoon but I was able to set up my tent without snow beneath it. The tent and sleeping bag keep me warm, but heading into the bag at sunset means I'm getting up- at least at some point- very calculatingly- in the middle of the night for a bathroom break. This means I'm getting quite cold before I climb back in to warm myself. I seem to stay warm until 3 or 4 am, and then I get a little colder.   Not sure if my food stores are wearing off or what. But I do get chilly in these hours. Woke up this morning with my water stores partially frozen. Was in the 20s last night. Icy in the descent this morning, but it quickly faded as the sun warmed. I have decided that staying in a tent on nights like this is preferable to staying in a shelter, which was an option. I am enclosed in my tent-keeps the heat in.   Shelters have an open wall where the breeze flows. Liking my choice.   Been traveling with a new group lately, making four of us. We're all staying tonight in a bunkhouse in the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) which is quite the hikers paradise. This site boasts kayaking and white water events on the Nantahala River so its a community very friendly to hikers. Had dinner and my first trail beer with a few great hiker buddies whose company I appreciate. There's Walking Tall, whose retired from the state patrol and has been lucky enough to have his wife nearby to pick him up at times (though this will end in Gatlinburg) ; Portuguese, who is from Portugal. He's an appreciated writer in his country who writes about hiking and plans to write a book about the Appalachian Trail. And Feral, an Iowan, who has retired from a long term care facility as an Administrator.   Great companions one and all. I have also connected with Pat and Rachel again, who are nearby, as well as Judge Judy, another Wisconsinite. The bunkhouse sleeps four, with a shower-house nearby-so appreciated.  I can't describe the daily emotional swings. Physically, its challenging. Mentally-far harder. Everything requires planning, choices matter greatly. Always watching the sun. I tend to walk from about 8:30 to 4:30. Make camp. Make sure I'm in dry clothes. String the bear line. Eat. Lift food. Climb in to bed. Fall asleep quickly. Awaken to pee (dare I venture away from tent in the dark? How cold will I get?). Back to bed. Awaken early. Breakfast goes like this: Boil water in my stove: make oatmeal-eat oatmeal- boil water for hot chocolate and drink with left-over oatmeal floaters- then boil water for tea and drink. This cleans my pot very well and keeps me from walking that 0.1 of a mile for water to clean the pot. Very efficient. TAKES PLANNING. Then break camp, walk. Resupply water. Repeat.... Now I know what I'll be doing with all my down time. Wink.   Tomorrow is a choice. The next shelter is 7 miles away. But there are 5 miles between this spot and the shelter that are UPHILL--as in continual climbing. If I feel good, may venture to next campsite, which is 3.5 miles past. Will see...      Wondering- Which pharmaceutical makes Advil?? Think I'll call my broker and invest....