Date: 2007-04-21
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

4/21 7.2 miles, 5 hoursBeautiful views today. I took several pictures.The cheese or something didn¢t agree with me last night. I had to make a night run to the privy without shitting my pants or freezing to death. I shivered some in my bag; it was 38 degrees, according to a radio user. I thought for a while I might barf, too, but concentrated on shivering until the nausea went away.E¢s backpack was on the table all night and while the 7am¢ers cooked. After the early birds left, the 9am¢ers were making fun of them, being in a hurry to get to the shelter by 3pm and look bored. I didn¢t tell them that I had gotten in at 1:30 the previous day.E stopped where I had stopped to get water and was firing up her stove as I left. Her mom probably told her to hang around me, but I¢m not looking for a bad babysitting job. I think I lost my comb there. Then a couple miles later as I was getting water, she pulled up for water. By the time I had started up the notorious .3 Mount Albert climb, Baldo was babysitting her. I gleefully let them pass.I was determined to beat Albert. I let people scare me away last time with their rumors of climbing hand over hand, and up a ladder on the cliff face. At Muskrat Creek shelter, a SBer told us we should take the blue-blaze to bypass the summit. She had taken it because it was icy and wet, so I wonder how she knew about some non-existant ladder and crawl-climb? It was the steepest climb yet, and I could¢ve used a few more inches of legs, but if a fat midget like me can make it without bursting an aorta, anyone can. It was the highlight of this trip so far! I beat you, Albert, you dirty SOB! Not only were there gorgeous views today, but I found two benchmarks on top of Albert - something I used to do for fun in my previous life! Baldo loaned me his GPS to take pictures of them - if you have no idea what I¢m talking about, go to Geocaching.com and click on the Benchmarking link - it will explain it in a nutshell. I got a little sunburn on my face. Even after farting around on Albert, I made it to the shelter by 2pm. I know I should start doing more miles, especially since Franklin is so near, but instead I took a nap after talking to a handsome and charming sectioner named Groan. He sat on the picnic table right in front of me while I was lying down and acted like he didn¢t want to leave. He asked me if I had been sick, so I must¢ve looked like scheisse. I couldn¢t help myself, admiring his big arms - these pasty 20-something young guy hikers have no upper bodies. I woke up thinking I was in my mom¢s spare bedroom! It hurt my throat to drink kool-aid; I¢ll blame the nap on my cold.As I was removing a week¢s worth of dirt from my calves, I was frightened by two new big fat veins on the back of both my ankles. It also doesn¢t hurt my hips as much when I sleep on my side. I will try to find a scale in Franklin, although on my previous two week backpacking trip I had gained five pounds putting on bulging butt and leg muscles.It looks like I may have the whole place to myself tonight - noone else is here at 6:30pm. I stirred up the flies in the privy then had noodles. The rest of the night will be peaceful and I can read as late as I want. Life is good.Thankful for: Being out here and being able to do this.