Date: 2007-10-23
From: Iron Master's Mansion

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

mi. 17.3sleep shelterdest. Quarry Gap Shelter day 103 I got a decent nights sleep. I decided to sleep in the bunk room instead of the lounge again. I think the couch was more comfortable than the bed though. Aaron's snoring wasn't as bad as he said it was. I really need to work on my issues of sleeping when someone is snoring. Frieght train or loud noise I'm fine, light snoring not so fine. Anyways after sleeping in and splitting the rest of the lazana for breakfest, and finally headed south again. A 10:30am start time. Not as early as I would hope, but not bad. I started out in just a little rain. So pack cover again. At least this time I has some orange. But go figure, I didn't see anyone hiker or other wise on the trail. I did see someone in a car driving down the road if that counts. The terain is really opening up. Only a couple small rocky parts. Only worth mentioning because the rest of the day was so easy. With breaks I still managed to get to the shelter by 6pm. The leaves are really starting to change now. I have some great pictures of them and parts of the trail. It was interesting to see the different sights of the colors and trail. I went from the green tunnel look in some parts. To a grey overcast with pine trees and brown grass. To wonderful explosions of red, orange, and purples. Along with everything inbetween. Hopefully I will follow this for awhile. Tonight I got some great use out of the cell phone. I'm here by myself, so I don't mind talking a lot. I got called my sister to check in. It turned out she was at my parents house along with all of my nieces and nephews. So I got to talk to the whole Family minus my one sister. I'll fix that soon. I also got to talk to a couple of friends I haven't in awhile. I know I was anti cell phones at first. But I am slowly changing my mind. I am having some gear issues that I need to call the companies on. The phone is great for that. I also have some logistical things to work on soon. And yep another shelter night. I thought about hanging my hammock, but the rain talked me out of it. It's nice not to have to deal with it and getting wet. My tarp would have kept me dry, but I wanted to spread my stuff out. Plus I am here and awake for 3 or 4 hours. I can only lay in the hammock so long. This shelter is one of the better ones. A great place to wait out a rain. I think it used to be 2 right next to each other. Then a roof was built over both with a picnic table inbetween. The roof also hangs over to make a nice porch area. I wasn't going to pass this up on a rainy night. Gear update. For some reasons the gear issues continue. I don't think I am hard on them, just getting a lot of use. I think I am more critical than hard. Pack. The new one is working out great except for 2 things. A buckle broke off o the side compression strap. This might b user indused. the other i the hipbelt slowly works itself loose a                                       Headlamp. I am using the petzel mayo5 headlamp. It works but it cuts out if you direct the beam low. The LED's and buld are on a swivel. I am worried about it failing at a bad time. I am planing on calling the company and seeing what they say. I am thinking about picking up a backup. I can get one that weighs 1.5 oz. With as much use as I am getting out of my headlamp, it is probibly a good move. I think mine is on for 3 or 4 hours a day now.