Date: 2019-06-06
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter (VA)

To: War Spur Shelter (VA)
Miles today: 12.7

Yesterday it stopped raining a few hours after we got to the shelter. The sun even came out for a little while. Then last night was dry, but I didn¢t have cell service, so I packed Spike away and put my pack cover on before heading out for today¢s hike.Oh, before I talk about the hike, let me tell you about my morning. I was the first one up at 5:45 and started my day with a productive trip to the privy (I know, TMI, but this is especially important out here). I then got our food bags (I tried to retrieve our fellow shelter-dwellers¢ but their rope was too wet). I had breakfast before proceeding to clean my hands (it¢s been awhile since I didn¢t have dirt under my nails) and my ¢foon¢ (think spork). I then had a second successful privy trip. And all of this was before the other 3 started stirring around 7:30. So, on to the hike. The first goal for the day was the next shelter: Bailey Gap. I got there first but only because the other 3 stopped to get water on the way up. There was a warning on Guthook about the rocks following the shelter, but I decided that rather than curse the evil trail and try to get through it quickly, I would approach the rocks mindfully. I chose each step carefully and tried to pay attention to the trees and birds and other things around me. It ended up taking me nearly 2 hours to go 2.5 miles, but I got to the next water source with my feet and sanity intact. I stopped to get water and a sobo couple was there. They warned me about the mud they had just encountered and asked me if there was more. I said, ¢No, only rocks. Take your time and respect the rocks.¢There was some mud, but my feet welcomed the soft ground. The next destination was Wind Rock. I arrived maybe 20 minutes after the others. They had their socks and shoes laid out in the sun to dry. I did the same despite the dark clouds now obscuring the sun. Then it started to sprinkle and our view from the rock showed more rain coming. I quickly put my shoes and socks back on and started hiking. As it rained, I started singing ¢The Ants Go Marching¢ (I think I was only singing in my head, but I can¢t be sure). By the time I got to ¢The ants go marching 10 by 10,¢ the rain had stopped and the sun was out again.I hadn¢t had cell service all day, and I noticed this one spot on the trail that was a little higher than the rest. When I got there I checked and I had service! I texted Spike¢s Dad with an update and one of Spike¢s other cousins to wish her a happy birthday. I also looked at the weather. It was looking like rain all day every day for at least the next 5 days. After having service, the trail was downhill for the next 2.5 miles. I was passed by 2 other hikers and saw 2 red efts, a brown snake, and a garter snake. SC and I had thought about hiking on to the next campsite so we could make it to our 200-mile point on day 20, but by the time I got there, it was already thundering and there was room in the shelter. We only have 1.3 to go in the morning before we hit that milestone.The first thing I did when I got to camp was to take off my shoes and go to a nearby creek to get water. I stood in the creek as I filtered my water. It felt amazing.There are 6 of us in the shelter (7 with Spike, but he doesn¢t take up much space) and 1 tenting. We all made dinner out at the picnic table and then it started to rain, so we scrambled to get everything inside the shelter to finish eating in there. It rained off and on (but mostly on) until we all settled in for bed around 9:15.