Date: 2005-03-28
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: US 19, US 74 Nantahala River
Miles today: 5.7

Started @ Wesser Bald ShelterDestination: US 19, US 74 Nantahala RiverMiles hiked today: 5.7Total Miles: 133.9Day 17It stormed all night long and the wind blew furiously at times. We were all so glad to be in the shelter. However, I did not sleep well. I woke up the first time at 8:15pm and could not believe it was so early. I felt like I'd been asleep for a long time but it could not have been more than an hour. The next time I awakened it was about midnight. From then on I was awake every hour or two until about 6am when everyone started stirring. The rain had stopped but it was a very loud rainy night. The one good thing about it was when it was raining and the wind was blowing it was hard to hear the snoring. I realized after I got in my sleeping bag last night that I had forgotten to blow up my sleeping pad so my bed was not as soft as usual. It was tight quarters and it made turning over difficult.We boiled water for coffee this morning but skipped breakfast so we could get on the trail. I woke up in the night with a headache and thought it was because I had not had any coffee since we had come back out to the trail. But I think it could have also been due to my sinuses since my head hurt the last time we had a big storm. We got on the trail at 7:45am and got into the Nantahala Outdoor Center about noon. We paid for a bunk room--one with a lower and upper bunk. The showers and bathrooms are in another building nearby. I've heard mice in the walls and/ceiling so we are afraid they will get into our food. We picked up a mail drop here and now have too much food so are going to send a lot of it along with some other extra supplies home in the morning. We had not expected all the trail magic we've had--burritos and pizza--plus when we took a day off in Franklin we had breakfast and a dinner that we did not eat on the trail. Therefore too many pounds to carry!Our hike today was hard even though it was a short day. Lots of down hills on slippery rocks, roots, and mud and the trail was narrow in most places and on the side of the mountain. It was hard on my knees but not in the way my knees were affected before. I just felt my knees more today. We were probably within a half mile of getting here when I stepped around a tree on the trail and stepped onto the roots around it and my feet went right out from under me. It was hard to get up with my pack on but finally I got my feet out in front of me which was downhill slightly and pulled myself up with my poles. No injuries. Creaky Bones is older than us and has tendonitis in her Achilles tendon. She was the last one of our shelter group last night to arrive. She is going to take a day off to rest her foot. She had taken 3 days off in Franklin but the Dr. had told her to take 5 days off. She is doing a super job and her attitude is great.We met a young hiker today as we were coming into the NOC. Her trail name is Odyssa. She finished college in December and is the most pleasant young lady. She is a fast hiker so we will probably not see her again.We ate at the restaurant here this afternoon and again this evening. Mike and I were the first to show up and we told them there would be at least 8 hikers, maybe more. So they set up a table for 10 and 10 showed up. It was a great time and we were all happy to be here safe, warm, showered, and fed with food other than trail food. It is 9:30pm and things have quieted down outside. It is time for sleep to get ready for a big climb tomorrow. Goodnight.