Date: 2014-03-21
From: Campsite north of Plum Orchard

To: Standing Indian shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Out of camp at 915. It doesn't seem to matter what I do, my departure time is generally around 9am. This morning, I even tried multi-tasking; boiling water while packing things up, and it didn't matter. I even tried getting up earlier today, still to no avail. For some reason, when I crossed into North Carolina, I had this idea in my head that the big climbs of Georgia were all behind me now, and North Carolina was going to be trail paved by soft pine needles and rainbows. Oh no, friends. The wild elevation changes of Georgia were simply a warm-up for North Carolina. The first climb of the day was Couthouse Bald, an 826 foot (positive) change in elevation covering a little over a mile. That doesn't sound too bad, except there were no switch backs until the last third of that mile. In other words, it was basically straight up.The trail leveled off at the top, and just as my heart rate was returning to the 140 range, I heard "Hooch! C'mere and check out this view!" It was my pal SuperFeet and his girlfriend, Barnacles. I met these two on Hawk Mtn at the end of day one, and they are great people. Unfortunately for me, they are strong hikers (even though they deny this) and I can't keep pace with them for long. It's unfortunate because they are great conversationalists, and lots of fun to hike with. Anyway, we took in a picturesque view of Lake Chatuge while snacking and chatting.And then we met Finn.SuperFeet saw Finn coming up the trail, and called out for him to check out this view. Finn was decked out in full green camo, complete with thick soled combat boots, short, cropped hair, and a super tiny, Hello-Kitty sized backpack over his shoulders. When Feet asked his pack weight, he didn't even crack a smile when he said 12 pounds. As the three of us sat there with our mouths hanging open, he explained that one really doesn't need that much stuff to survive. He eats no hot meals, and carries spartan sleeping and shelter accommodations. To think I was damn proud of myself for leaving Dicks Creek at 35 pounds, including 5 days of food and 2 liters of water! When Finn came into the clearing, the three of us were having a discussion about cardiovascular conditioning. Feet was explaining to me that things would definitely improve for me (and quickly--Feet is on his 2nd thru-hike). Finn, adding his two cents, told me the best way to improve my cardiovascular fitness was to hold my breath, and only breathe on every third step. Then, cautioned me to be careful, because I could pass out and face plant on a rock. He was not smiling when he mentioned this disclaimer.Finn asked where we were all heading tonight (me to standing Indian, Feet and Barnacles undecided) and he agreed he may stop at Standing Indian, after covering 40 miles in 2 days. After a bit more humorless chit-chat with Finn, he took off down the trail. Running. Clearly, I survived a difficult 10 mile day, arriving at Standing Indian shelter around 445. Everyone there (even the hardcore hikers) agreed this was a grueling stretch of trail. The small campfire was raked out around 830 (early, indeed) and the soft sounds of snoring could be heard throughout the campsite. Including yours truly.