Date: 2008-03-28
From: Little Laurel Shelter (3620')

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter (4255')
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept great again in my tent and ate two cereal bars and a pop tart packet. I was out around 8:30. The first section was alright with a bit of ridge walking but it was overcast. It drizzled slightly but I never put on my rain gear on. My pack got a little wet but it was alright. I didn't stop at the first shelter but I went on to the next one. I rested once which rejuvinated me. There were a couple grave sites and some downed trees and with the fog the hike was a little spooky. I rested at the second shelter for about an hour and ate 3 granolas dipped in peanut butter and some fudge frosting as well as a reeses bar. Catfish and Usedtoocould were heading out as I was getting in and were going to stay at the same shelter as me. Greg was getting off trail in a couple of miles with one of California Joe's friends who was hiking on his spring break. Greg is zeroing in Hot Springs for his birthday. There was a steep uphill but someone left some sodas in a stream which was nice. The uphill wasn't as tough and I felt better than yesterday. My pack is a little lighter and should be even lighter tomorrow. I'm in the shelter tonight with Dynamite, Catfish, Usedtoocould, Shepherd, and California Joe with some camp group tenting behind the shelter. I had a successful fire and cooked over it. I tried some original flavor mashed potatoes which were really bland so I added a ton of hot sauce and some of John's seasoning which I still have and beef jerky. I also ate two more oreo things, a dark snickers bar, and a piece of bit o'honey that Catfish gave me. I'll probably have another candy bar before the night is over. I saw a small snake on the trail that was brown and camoflouged on the trail. It didn't really move until I nudged it a bit. Tomorrow might be another 20 miler and then into Erwin for resupply and my mail drop. The scouts gave us the rest of their ramen w/ chicken. They were going to throw it in the fire, but we made sure it didn't go to waste. I also ate a milky way dark chocolate bar, a piece of fudge, and a York peppermint patty (the king sized one). The scouts were asking the thru-hikers a bunch of questions which is neat to see young kids (12 or 13) interested. I hung my bear bag on a flimsy limb that was coming off of what I realized was a larger limb that had fallen and landed vertically so it looked like a small tree. I didn't realize this until I went to wrap the rope around the "tree" trunk and it started to rotate. Catfish and Usedtoocould got a kick out of it. There was a strange call in the woods which Catfish and Usedtoocould identified as a Bard Owl. It was hooting for a while and this is the second time I've heard an own in the woods. Catfish and Usedtoocould are interesting folks and they met early on the trail and have been hiking together since. Its cool to see guys that have retired out doing something different and they really seem to be enjoying themselves. Sadly this will probably be my first and only night with them as they hike around 15 mi a day and I'm probably doing 20 tomorrow. The last stretch looks easy so who knows if they decide to go for it and do 20. I found out Erwin has a sonic so I'm definitely going into town at least for that. I don't want to stay the night and I might resupply, eat and then hike to the next shelter up the trail which would make for a 10 mi day.