Date: 2018-05-17
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

I took it slow in the morning since it was only 14 miles and was the last one out. Legs in good shape after yesterday¢s 19 miles which is good. Could have spent more time on feet TLC but oh well, I need to get some more tape in Erwin.The morning was a little uphill, but the weather was actually only partly cloudy. There was a blue blaze to a lookout tower that I was considering in honor of Double O, but fog was starting to roll in and wanted to beat potential rain.The rest of the morning was pretty level and I didn¢t see a single hiker. However, there was a cool ridge walk along Big Firescald Knob that was almost a rock scramble in some places. It can be amazing 360 degree views, but was too foggy for me towards the west. It was difficult with wet rocks(fell twice) but nice to mix it up. And something I have never seen before... a ¢bad weather bypass¢ option! Wish that happened more often!Lunched at the Jerry Cabin shelter which apparently had a cat, but I didn¢t see it. Cam was just leaving but Seamus stayed a bit and hung out. A new hiker, Spiderman, came through as I was leaving. He stayed two shelters back and was pulling for a 20 but trying to beat the rain.About an hour after I headed out, just as I was walking over the exposed bald of Big Butt Mountain (yes that is really the name) it started to drizzle. Was trying to hold of putting on rain gear but then it picked up. Saw Seamus and we both put on our rain gear. Not but ten minutes later it stopped so we took it off. Then about half hour after that started sprinkling again. I was thinking to myself ¢I¢m not going to keep putting on and taking off, I will do my rain skirt but not my jacket!¢ It stayed a consistent drizzle then picked up. I was still thinking ¢oh well my shirt will get a little wet but hopefully I¢ll be under tree cover soon!¢ But just as I gave in and put on my jacket, the skies opened up. Rain seemed to be coming in all directions and no sign of stopping. Those last few miles luckily were easy terrain so just pushed on to the shelter. When I got there, a lot of people were standing around so I was like ¢oh crap it¢s full!¢ But it was a big group of section hikers just waiting out the rain. I quickly laid out my stuff inside just in case. Then about half hour later, the skies cleared and the sun came out! I was debating continuing on, but didn¢t feel like packing all my stuff up and figured I could at least get an early start tomorrow. And since it was only 4, I would have a lot of time to take care of things. Spiderman showed up, turns out he had stayed at a shelter last night with Double O and the Philly Crew! Apparently Professor was having some knee issues so they were taking it slow. So basically I am just one shelter ahead of them each time! Funny how can pass news that way too since there is no service.Overall in the shelter it was me, Spiderman, old guy from last night, stefon/ninja turtle, and another old section hiker I think named rick. All in bed by 8:30!Around 9 I heard the rain start to pick up so I rushed out for a final bathroom trip. I guess I kind of through everything down in my haste so Rick was like ¢everything ok? That was some gymnastics!¢