Date: 2018-03-21
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: VA 606, Trail Mile 609.6
Miles today: 16.2

I was by myself at the shelter last nite, which allowed me to spread out and hang stuff  in an effort to get my wet clothes dry. Woke up this AM to about 4¢ of snow and below freezing temps.  At first I started bemoaning the fact that it was winter, but it is what it is and the best thing to do is to embrace it. Sure, some of the clothes that I had to put on to start the day were still damp and had frozen overnite - but they will thaw out quickly and I will survive. Yes, my boots were frozen in the morning (I know enough at least to loosen the laces and widen the boots so I can get them on in the AM), but once I start hiking my feet will lose their chill. Those things aside, the trail in winter has its own beauty - best to just cope and enjoy it. Those of you that have read my early entries know that I do some winter backpacking in the Adirondacks, where deep snow and minus 20 degree temps are not uncommon. For those trips my gear is entirely different ( different clothes, warmer sleeping bag, insulated boots, snowshoes/crampons, etc.) and my pack is a lot heavier. I¢d hate to be lugging around all that winter specific gear here on the AT, my body couldn¢t handle carrying that heavy of a pack day after day. The one single biggest irritant that I have about the cold temps on the AT is having to get out of my sleeping bag 3 or 4 times during the course of a nite to pee. Of course when I¢m with the younger bucks they all have a laugh over this frequent nightly urination. Laugh it up guys, your time will come some day, HaHa. I don¢t know what is bringing on these frequent urges to pee, at home I had to get up typically only once during the nite. Maybe it is the crisp cool Appalachian Mt. air. In any event I¢ll have to check with my doctor when I get home. It is a pain having to get out of that warm sleeping bag on a cold nite. I do use a pee bottle when the opportunity allows (e.g. in my tent), but even then I have to get out of my sleeping bag. I have not attempted the technique of using a pee bottle while tucked in my sleeping bag. A mishap would not be pleasant, if you know what I mean. I did cross paths with a flip-flopper today, Jelly Bean, who was headed south. He will complete his AT thru hike at the GA/NC state line. Congrats Jelly Bean, you are on the home stretch!I am spending tonite at Woods Hole Hostel, and Neville the owner will shuttle me back in the AM to VA 606, today¢s stopping point for me. I will then hike about 15 miles tomorrow back to Woods Hole, spending a second nite here. Woods Hole is a very nice hostel indeed, Neville is a great host and cook. The hostel is very tastefully decorated and furnished and has all the usual amenities. Apparently Woods Hole was recently voted the No. 1 hostel on the AT. As fate would have it the power has been knocked out by the winter storm that is passing through, but fortunately Woods Hole has an emergency generator so no big deal. I am thankfully not camped outside in this winter storm tonite, but am thinking of those hikers that are out there and hope that everybody is safe. I am safe, warm and dry in the hostel tonite. Goodnite!