Date: 2005-05-01
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Miles hiked today : 18.5I woke up this morning at 7:45 a.m. and was on the trail at 8:50 a.m. After hiking 0.3 mile, there was a sign stating that the bridge at the Stony Creek crossing, 2.1 miles up the trail, was washed out by Hurricane Jeanne in the Fall of 2004.There were directions for an alternate route to bypass the creek fording. I was faced with the possibility that I'd hike 2.1 miles up the trail, only to have to backtrack because the crossing was too dangerous. I decided to take my chances with the creek ford and moved on.At 9:55 a.m., I saw a fisherman wearing hip waders standing in the middle of the creek. I figured if he could stand in the middle of the creek, then the current couldn't be too bad. 5 minutes later, I arrived at the site of the old bridge, of which the end supports were still there.I sat down to remove my socks and to put my gaiters on over my boots. Frenchie called out to me from the other side of the creek. She'd decided to take the alternate route, but was going to stay the watch me cross. In I went, 1 step, 2 steps, 3 steps, and BRR!!! My boots were filled with freezing cold water. I continued crossing, though when I reached the center, I stopped because I saw that the already knee-deep water was about to become about 1 foot deeper. Knee-deep water is dangerous enough, as it reduces your stability, so I looked around for an alternative. I was able to find a safer path by walking slightly upstream. Before long, I had finished crossing and continued 1.5 miles without socks to Bailey Gap Shelter, my boots making squishing noises all the while.I arrived at my namesake shelter at 11:00 a.m. after a 985 foot climb. The weather today was sunny and clear, and the climb was rather nice. I stopped for a 30 minute break, taking time to eat a snack and to let my feet and boots dry a bit. During the 3.9 miles to Wind Rock, slipped and fell on some rocks, landing on my right fore-arm. Cha-ching, fall #13. My arm hurt fairly badly, though I was still able to grasp with my hand, so I figured it would be okay. A sort while later, the pain was gone and before knew it, I was at Wind Rock, arriving at 1:30 p.m. I stopped for a 30 minute lunch break with Frenchie and Red Rover. The view from Wind Rock was far reaching, though all that could be seen was brown, bare trees. There wasn't any other color to speak of. I hiked another 1.2 miles to a piped spring and stopped for 25 minutes to filter water.I covered the next 3.7 miles in 1 hour, 10 minutes, arriving at War Spur Shelter at 4:05 p.m. I'd had to descend 1,660 fet, which was tough on my knees, so I stopped for 30 minutes before continuing. Immediately after the shelter, there was a stream crossing with three thin and very bouncy tree trunks laying together to form a crude bridge. I crossed slowly and managed not to fall in.From the shelter, I faced a 1,184 foot climb over 2.8 miles to Rocky Gap/VA601. i arrived at 6:05 p.m. and was pleasantly surprised to find trail magic waiting. There was a cooler full of sodas and mini candy bars. I stopped for 20 minutes to enjoy a cola before heading out to cover the final 3.0 miles of the day. From Rocky Gap, I had a relatively easy 536 foot climb, followed by a difficult 1,022 foot descent over 0.9 mile. The difficulty was increased by the loose, flat pieces of rock forming the path. I finished the descent at 7:45 p.m., arriving at Laurel Creek Shelter.Upon arriving, I made dinner and listened to recorded music, courtesy of El Hefe's radio and iPod. With only 5 people on site and 2 of those in tents, the shelter is fairly empty tonight, which is nice for a change.Bedtime at 10:45 p.m.