Date: 2015-04-03
From: Vandeventer

To: Abingdon shelter 
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: light rain

Got a little bit of rain last night. I had to get up around 12:54 am and string my tarp up. Had my hammock hanging in under the overhang of the shelter but wasn't quite enough to keep me dry. That did the trick and didn't wake up again until 7 am. I packed up and looked at my options for water. I would have to walk about 7 miles to the next reliable source so the only thing I could do was walk the source where I was. The Guidebook said it was steep and it was very steep. It was only 0.4 miles but it was difficult enough to cause me to sweat which is saying alot at this point. I enjoyed a good breakfast though and some energy water. I finally set out around 840 am. There was one other hiker still at the shelter, he wasn't going far today. This was my latest start yet. The next 7 miles felt slow but I got to the next shelter around 1130 and had lunch and my last coffee. Food bag is getting really light, glad I'll be in Damascus tomorrow! Hiked down to TN 91. Started to rain about the time I was leaving the shelter. Used my new golite umbrella and it worked excellent. Hiked across shady Valley, TN. It was pretty even with the rain. Got to double springs shelter around 315 pm. There was a father and son there, at least I assumed they were. They both had frame packs and said they had started back by the dam a 3 or 4 days ago. I said I had passed through that area yesterday. They asked me some other questions and I gave them some advice. They basically just needed to get lighter and they already knew that, the father said his pack weighed about 60 lbs. I didn't stay long though as it wasn't raining at the moment so I continued on planning to stop at low Gap in 4 miles. When I got to low Gap i was gonna sit by the road as there was a spring and a table but the bugs were swarming me so I decided to hike on. I tried to hike up the hill and eat and eventually I found a spot but I wasn't there for more than 15 mins because of the bugs. I moved on knowing that I had less than 4.7 miles now. I was picturing reaching the shelter and finding it with a few hikers in it. I was telling myself I would probably set up my tarp outside even if it rained. I couldn't take the snoring. A girl last night was so loud but I didn't care because I was too tired. The snoring is somewhat comical but it's not fun to wake up constantly to what sounds like a chainsaw. I passed what was called a "disused" shelter and it was leaning sideways. It was made of logs with a tin roof and looked like some people may still be using it but it was definitely older than any I'd seen. From there I was only 1.5 miles from Abingdon shelter. Before I got there it started to pour rain on me. I was ready with my rain skirt and umbrella. It was a good combination and I stayed dry where it mattered to me. When I reached the shelter there was Noone inside. I was happy as you could imagine and there was a spot for me to get my hammock inside away from the rain. About that time the rain had slacked off so I grabbed my water gathering stuff and booked it down to the spring behind the shelter. It was alittle steep but nothing like the morning. I got the water and hurried back up. I didn't want any mice to come out and get into my food which I forgot to hang. I got back up and it had just started to rain again, this time much harder and steady than all day. I was so happy to be dry. I made a rice dinner and put some of my beef jerky in it. Turned out good for once. Tonight will be good and tomorrow better! Only 10 miles left to town.,