Date: 2013-10-23
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Additional bear stories I forgot to mention but were much on Cub's mind at the bear shelter are these (all of these happened this past week)... One hiker told us he went to get in a shelter and a bear was already in the shelter sleeping soundly. Another hiker was sleeping alone in a shelter when a bear tried to hop in. The hiker yelled and the bear jumped, both startling each other. Luckily the bear left. Another set of hikers had a bear pace back and forth within view of the shelter all night. As soon as the hikers pulled out in the morning the bear jumped in and went to sleep. These bears are using the shelters as caves. Smart bears. It's going to be 22 degrees tonight so I hope the bears don't look for snuggle partners. We woke up to rain again. We left Chestnut Knob at 11am after the rain stopped. At one point during the night it rained so hard on the tin roof and the wind blew like a hurricane so loudly we thought we were done for. The rain and wind continued all night which reinforced our decision to stay in the snug, four walled shelter. Three men wandered in during the night and were happy with the warmth. They left in the morning but we stayed. We ended up being in our sleeping bags for a solid 15 hours and would have stayed longer if our bodies hadn't betrayed us with privy demands. We would have been tempted to stay all day but we had only a little bit of water. We were able to make instant oatmeal and have a swig of water each. We ventured out only having to walk about 2 miles to a pond with a feeder spring. After walking through open wind blown fields we were happily surprised when we found the spring somewhat wind protected by bushes. Suddenly the sun came out, Yeah! You cannot imagine our joy. We were dreading getting and purifying water in the freezing cold. It took over an hour to get all three bladders filled and to "camel up". We are carrying heavy loads of water because it's been so dry and we want a hot meal tonight. The day proceeded to get even colder with balls of hail bouncing off of us. Snow flakes melted on our raincoats, never accumulating. Fleeting rays of sun peeked out, teasing us but never staying long enough to warm us. We found a good little river and decided to make Thai noodles and tea there. We were rained on but didn't mind because our tummies were happy. We walked on, deciding we needed to tent camp as the shelter was too close. We want to get our 100 mile week in, as per our goal. We really want to join family in Nashville for Thanksgiving and that will do it. When we got to Knot Maul a hiker girl named Chicory, from New Orleans, was sitting in the shelter alone. Badonkadonk wanted to stay because of the impending rain storm. We didn't want to leave Chicory alone and didn't want to get wet so we stayed. Again the girls promise to get up early tomorrow and again we will see. Leaving warm bags is near impossible. We hope to hit a hotel in Atkins tomorrow so we can shower and thaw out and do laundry. Still, in spite of the brutal, relentless cold it beats the hot bug-ridden summer with its 103 degrees and 89% humidity. I cannot overstate the fulfilling beauty of the Autumn colors. It makes my soul sing.