Date: 2003-05-05
From: Pond Flats

To: A shelter beginning w/W or V
Miles today: 0.0

I could not sleep worth crap last night. It started sprinkling around 2 a.m. and just didn't stop. I knew I had a big day coming and just felt anxious about the rain. My alarm went off at 6:30 but I slept til 7. Luckily the rain abated long enough for me to get all packed up. I headed out of camp at 8:30 and shortly thereafter the rain came. It is a constant struggle to stay dry. Either you are getting wet from the rain or sweating like a pig in your gear. I opened all my pit zips, walked slow, took breaks, took the hood off, unzipped my double zipper from bottom to top, unzipped the jacket altogether...and still I sweated! It was an easy descent from Pond Flats to Watauga Lake. I passed several slack-packers southbound, including Sprout. I confided in her that it was hard hiking alone and that I missed the group. She seemed to genuinely sympathize. At the lake there were trash cans! I dumped my trash and took a picture of the lake and rain and actual white caps. I stopped at the Watauga Lake shelter for lunch and Casey, Runaway and Lew(?) were leaving - just starting their morning. It was good to catch someone else sleeping in for a change! I began to freeze with the moisture on me and wind picking up. I ate quickly and took advantage of a green plastic lawn chair with a hole punched through the seat, labeled "port-a-privy"! I hiked on. I got to the Watauga Lake dam and the wind off the lake over the dam was brutal. I played in it for a minute - leaning into it. Then I tried to walk. It was really blowing me all over - I was like a drunken hiker. Then the fun and games ended. Three-quarters of the way across the dam, a gust hit me like a ton of bricks. I lost my balance and heard my raincoat flapping (I had tied it to the back of my pack to dry as the rain had stopped) I reached behind to grab it and that did it - the wind took advantage of my sudden pivot and turned me so that my pack caught the full brunt of the wind. It began to push me toward the edge of the dam. I could not stop. I thought about dropping to my knees, but suddenly the wind stopped. But just for a second. Then it hit again, even stronger and then I had no choice but to drop. My hiking sticks mitigated my fall as best they could but I landed with significant force on my left knee. I just laid on my side for a few minutes in shock. Finally the wind died down and I hurried off the dam. It was a tough climb to the summit, mainly because of my ordeal and I was just tired. I walked across a ridge that circled the lake below. It was so gorgeous. I finally got to the first shelter and decided at 4:15 to stop for the day. I had a great view of the lake and valley below and ridgelines in the distance. But again no one is here. I began to think I was the slowest hiker and that everyone else had left. It was a very trying time - 2 nights without company seemed a bit much for me. I actually listened to the radio for 10 minutes or so. The trek down to the water took forever. I thought I was on the wrong trail. I saw an orange lizard or salamander. I got back up to the shelter and sat on a rock and began to read. It began to sprinkle and I got totally depressed because part of my reason for stopping short was the view. But I prayed a modest prayer and it went away. Then I thought I heard voices. Then I did hear voices and saw other hikers - of course, once again, Trucker and Bingo. Now I lie here in the shelter, the rain having held off long enough for me to enjoy my dinner and company, I am about to sleep, with Trucker and Bingo to my left and Lightwalker and 1/3 to my right. My tent and our various food bags, packs, hiking poles and boots adorn every hook and screw in the place. We decided against bear bagging in the rain despite Lightwalker's bear sighting 2 miles away. Funny how the Trail twists and turns.