Date: 2009-05-13
From: 3.3 mi. past Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: 0.5 mi. past VA 624
Miles today: 20.0

I didn't get started as early as I had hoped, but I reached Niday Shelter before 9:30 am, in time to see Jeanette and Ben just leaving. I felt better about my progress, then. I collected water and moved on, with a big climb of about 1600 feet ahead of me. Although there were many switchbacks, it was by no means easy! At the top of the mountain was a wooden bench, so I made use of it and rested for a couple of minutes. I walked along a dirt road on the top of the mountain until I saw Jeanette and Ben coming down from a blue-blazed path that lead to the Audie Murphy monument. I hadn't gotten any cell signal for the past couple of nights, and so was not able to call Erik to update him or let him know I was all right. I finally got a weak signal near this memorial and gave him a call. He was not happy that I hadn't called in a couple of days, as he had been worried! I told him there was nothing I could do, and that there was no point in worrying about me. I had to keep moving and had to keep the call short.    Jeanette and Ben took their lunch break at Trout Creek, and I moved on, climbing another hill to get to Pickle Branch Shelter. When I discovered that it was 1/3 of a mile off the AT, I no longer wanted to stop there. However, I was low on water and didn't really have the choice (the next possible water source was many miles north!). I made my way down to the shelter, and further down beyond it to collect water. Unfortunately, I mistakenly took the wrong path as I was making my way out, which cost me several more minutes. I told myself to be more careful and note the landscape better on my way in. I passed Stone Brown, who was just coming in, and warned him about my mistake.    After the next mountain I had to climb, I would finally reach one of the special points on this stretch- Dragon's Tooth! I did not realize that the uphill would be extremely rocky, causing my speed to slow from both careful stepping, as well as the incline. I kept thinking I was near the top, as I checked my watch to estimate the number of miles I thought I was covering. However, there was always another climb around the bend. On one of the false summits, I saw Jeanette and Ben ahead. I had been worrying about missing Dragon's Tooth and asked them if they knew were it was and if we had passed it. Jeanette said that she hoped so, as she was getting sick of this! She said she had no idea what it was anyway! Luckily for me, we had not passed it, and there was a nice sign at the top of the mountain to point me in its direction! There were several teenagers up there on a day hike. I made my way over to the huge rocks, and found the one in the shape of a Dragon's Tooth! It was pretty cool! I discovered that I had a little reception up there and called Bound to let her know where I was and that I still had 30 miles to cover, which I didn't know if I could do by the following night. She said that I could. Erik, on the other hand, thought it was too much, and advised me to get picked up south of Daleville. He didn't want me overexerting myself unnecessarily. I asked Bound about the terrain and she told me the next couple of miles would be rocky, which meant slow-going.      Boy was I in for a surprise! These were some seriously steep rocks with big drop-offs, and some had rebar handles drilled into them! Time to drop down the poles and do some scooting! I decided to cook my dinner and take out my contacts at a nice level place on the descent, to reduce the amount of chores when I got into camp. The rhododendrons were out in full bloom in this section, and were particularly beautiful against the rocky outcrops. I passed by a nice campsite where two people had set up, and made my way down to the road. I never feel safe crossing the road and heading back into the woods in the evening with cars passing by, watching me. I knew there was another road coming up, making the next stretch of woods suboptimal for camping alone. When I saw 2 other tents at 8:30 pm, I decided to stop and camp there as well, for safety. I hung my hammock and crawled inside for some rest, knowing that I had a long day ahead of me the following day. However, the pain in my feet from pushing so hard over such rocky terrain allowed me very little rest.