Date: 2010-07-22
From: Graymoor Spiritual Center

To: Dennington Road Campsite
Miles today: 3.7

Day 3 - We faired well through a night of *torrential* rain. Genevieve did an expert job of pitching the tent on a high spot in between thunderstorms and our little tent is tight and dry. Most of the camp flooded 1-2 inches. We met several thru-hikers at this campsite. They had been on the trail 4 months. "Gouda", "Freeman", "Chopsticks", "7", "Soulpatch", "Cope", and "Fuzzy". They all laughed at the gourmet cookware and recipes. But when I pulled out the tiny whisk to whip the powdered eggs there was no end to the laughter and caterwailing. But they all liked the eggs though and I gave half a can, equivalent to one dozen eggs to "Gouda". I am trying to eat all the food as fast as I can (or give it away) to reduce pack weight. We take the unanimous advice from the thru-hikers and decide to send a bunch of stuff home. Gone is the bear food cannister and the two cans of bear pepper spray as well as the can of (unused) inert bear pepper practice spray. "Chopsticks" and "Soulpatch" told how they were following a bear with a ranger to try to get a picture! Of these 7 hikers not one had an incident with a bear. The greatest risk is a torn ligament, twisted ankle, or blown knee from a pack that is way too heavy. Gone are the high tech side zippered rain pants. I kept the rain top only for wind protection. I sweat so much that I would be wetter on the inside than the outside. Gone is the Brunton ADC Pro weather data center. There was no doubt it was raining buckets last night. In short - after breakfast Genevieve called a taxi that took us into Peaksville to the Post Office. We shipped 14 lbs and 13 oz of stuff home. We then took the taxi out to the trailhead with light hearts and much lighter loads. Had a good day hiking today. The pain in my right hip aductor moved down to my glut but everything was manageable. I could actually walk instead of trudge. Boots felt like an old saddle gently creaking with each step and my pack though still too heavy rode easy on my hips. I am reading Thich Nich Hahn's "Peace is Every Step" and especially on the downslopes I tried to be aware of each foot placement and touch the earth softly and lovingly with each footfall. Took lots of trail pictures today. Especially of the many rock walls still standing. Who were the men who built these walls and what were their circumstances? When you walk as slow as I do you pretty much are walking alone. The deep silence of the forest slips around you like your Grandmother's down comforter. Green green green moss and ferns everywhere. It is 10-15 degrees cooler today and that is also why I guess I am feeling so much better. Genevieve is miles ahead of me. She averages 1.85 mph over this rough terrain. My average is about 1.0 which is my trailname. But in anycase I have a pleasant stroll today. Genevieve is 90 minutes ahead of me and after waiting a bit comes back looking for me. We make it into camp at a comfortable 1600. Take care of the essentials: bathe, wash trail cloths (we decided to wear same trail clothes each day and wash them daily), set up bear bag, get water, and cook dinner- freeze dried hummus (very yummy) and BB pasta with olive oil, parmesan cheese and way too many red pepper flakes (Genevieve's suggestion). We save some for tomorrow. Ahhh tomorrow......we have a 10.7 mile walk. My longest to date is 5.7. We went to bed at 1930 an hour before sunset to get extra rest and an early start. Genevieve is excited; I took some more Advil. Cheers to everyone. Hope all is well. The sun has slipped away and the noises of the night are singing us to sleep.