Date: 2006-03-28
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala River, NC
Miles today: 5.7

Cell excellent.I rarely sleep in a shelter but decided to last night. It ended up being a good experience as I slept fairly well and I was comfortable. We heard rain on the roof during the night but nothing seemed wet in the morning. We were expecting rain so we started hiking with our rain suits and pack covers on. I stopped after the first mountain and took off the rain pants and windstopper fleece, I was burning up. I was comfortable after that and didn¢t make any more changes to my clothes.We had some hills to climb but generally it was a downhill walk. Tomorrow we have an all uphill day. You see were at the bottom of a canyon along the banks of the Nantahala River. We arrived at the NOC around noon, this place is a whitewater haven that also rents beds to hikers. it seems really soon to be stopping and washing clothes as it has only been three days. The shower felt good and so does the cleen clothes.I called Sue who reminded me to reseal the seams on my tent, which I did. The tent leaked during a rain storm even though I had sealed it when I got it. Right now the seams are tacky so I sprinkled talcom powder on it to help take some of the tackiness out. I¢m leaving tied to the railing on the porch tonight in hopes that it cures overnight.I lost another toenail today that makes two gone. Neither one hurt when it happened and I¢m actually more comfortable without them.Tonight we¢re sitting around in a community room with chairs and TV. This is more comfortable than laying in my sleeping bag freezing.We hope to hit Fontana Dam Friday and hit the GSMNP on Saturday.Lots to do and I have to get to the bunkhouse before lightts out.Goodnight.Old GoatOld Goat at Nantahala Outdoor Center - Click picture to see full sizeNantahala River - Click picture to see full sizeNantahala River - Click picture to see full sizeSnowhoe at Nantahala Outdoor Center - Click picture to see full size Sue's Note: Old Goat hasn't mentioned his toes before, so let me explain. The toenail of the toe next to his big toe on each foot sticks up somewhat. As he hikes, the toenail catches on his sock, causing blisters around the toenail. The right toe started first, the left to started a day or so later. He first duct taped the toenail down, then later cut a space in foam and put the foam over the toe, then taped the foam to his foot. That helped. The right foot toenail fell off a few days ago - the left foot toenail just fell off now. Once the toenail falls off, he has no more pain. This is not new - he had this same problem during Philmont Boy Scout Ranch Treks.Old Goat said about 95% of the hikers are just using "The Thru-Hikers Handbook" for their guidance. Old Goat has one with him, too - it's become a very important book to us. I don't go anywhere without my copy of "The Thru-Hikers Handbook," a notebook about the same size as that handbook, a pen, and my cell phone. When Old Goat calls I jot down things he says in my notebook, and between calls I list questions I need to ask him, etc. The notes in my notebook have helped me keep track of things. He tells me what to add or take out of his pre-prepared drop boxes and when to mail them....among many other things. In "The Thru-Hikers Handbook" I mark each place he stays and circle how many miles he's gone.