Date: 2016-03-13
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Roaring Fork Shelter to Deer Park Mountain Shelter for 14.8 miles.Left at 8:40 am arrived at 4:30 pmWHAT WE'VE LEARNED THIS MONTH & CHANGESWe didn't realize the time changed last night, until we woke at 6. Big Cypress said hey Fiber it's 6:30, as he was still snoring. Then Fiber said, hey it's 7:30! Walked this morning in the rain and then rain/wind and then warm sunny-ness!! God blessed us with a very nice sky for our hike day. Especially since the weather called for Tstorms.    At the shelter tonight - the 3 of us, 38, Candle Maker, Capt Underpants, Ally and her friend (name withheld)"Patient Zero"-first one to get the Spewmagedon 2016, Steady & Teach (are shelter adjacent, camping few steps from trail in tent area across from shelter) and some section hikers.Ok What We've Learned1. If your pole doesn't move, Stop!! Or Snap!! & Hiking Poles are helpful in preventing falls!!2. Sleep with Saywer to prevent freezing and illness. We switched to Pool shock to sanitize our water. 6-7 granules to 1 liter. Then add Electrolytes. Same or easier than Aquamira.3. Crampons worked great when snow & ice on trail. Helps us move faster. Switching to Yak Traks for Mtn Ranges north of Smokies. Due to weight reasons.4. Baby steps or half steps when going up hill, especially in early days of starting to hike. Focus on breathing too!!5. Ladies....the pee spout is amazing!! More discreet and no pack removal needed!! Especially easier on knees, as no bending necessary!6. Knees...use the poles when going down hill to help save your knees.7. Vent vent vent....your tent!! Prevents condensation on bag & tent walls. We leave half front wide open and complete foot area open. With both sides vented to max.8. Baseball Cap....keeps Sun out of eyes and rain!! Especially the rain!!9. Start out hiking Cold (in cold weather) as you WILL be sweating in matter of minutes. 10. Handkerchief...for sweat and noses and under baseball cap to block Sun from ears & neck.11. Rocks, expect it to Move or Be Slippery!! 12. Walk in your same clothes & socks wet or dry. Sleep in DRY clothes & socks only (best to have 1 set to hike - 1 set to sleep). 13. Thank God for....Gold Bond, mini roll on Warm FX (like icy hot), K Tape, Ibuprofen, EmergenC, Cliff Bars, Babywipes & Dr Bronner's soap.14. Select a Size Paper Towel, (packed with daily meals)one per day for Privy calls. Followed by hand cleaning with baby wipe! 15. Norovirus NOT killed by Hand Sanitizer!!! Only Soap & Friction!!16. Breakfast & Dinners warm - lunch - snacks all day, every couple hours is best.17. Don't touch the shelter pen when signing the shelter book. Risk Norovirus, bring your own pen.18. ALWAYS check hiker boxes!!19. Tenting is warmer than the shelter, in cold temps!20. Wright Socks are great for preventing blisters!!21. Compression Bags are amazing!! We bought Granite Gear brand two weeks in....l o v e them!22. In cold temps Mittens can be put on feet for added warmth, yes we did! 23. In cold temps Toe Warmers are amazing and Much lighter than Hand Warmers.24. In cold...blocking the wind is or more effective to keep you warm. Even in the teen temps we hiked with merino wool long under wear and REI full zip wind/rain pant and comfortable!! 25. Balaclava's are great upside down when undecided about temps from one mountain side to other. In cold temps to cover ears, chin & nose then just neck.26. Ticks are out All Year!! Check check check. Use sit pad instead of right on the ground!! Advice From Miss Heather Brave. 27. Foot Care daily checks are necessary!! K Tape must be smooth or will cause friction on healthy next door neighbor toes.28. Trail Meals - variety is better - you will get bored!29. Put your damp clothes in sleeping bag with you at night for dry or dry-ish clothes in morning.30. Hang your food & toiletries, NOT to protect your food, but to protect the bears!!!! Nuisance bears Do Get Euthanized!! 31. Unzip your zippers, the mice Will Chew holes just to take a look or for crumbs!! Especially Shelter Sleeping.32. Merino wool clothes stink way less than synthetic!!Critters: Squirrels and various birds - the usual suspects AND butterflies that were attracted to Fiber's pack when we stopped to water/snack and soak feet in spring. Butterflies were "licking" the salt and minerals off pack straps!! Yes they were!! Met Super Nova, thru hiker that started on Leap Day