Date: 2014-05-12
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: scattered clouds

For the first time in quite a while my morning began before 6:00am. Coconuts and Spice Kit were up at 5 and, as I had when hiking with Chef, I found the motivation to actually get up in others doing the same. Before too long the other early risers in the camp began their morning routines. I was to happy to be observing this as opposed to simply hearing it as I rolled over.While I was up early, I still took my time with breakfast but still started hiking at 6:45. I was planing on a bigger day but still taking it slow due to my feet so it was nice to have almost two hours more day light than I was used to. I stopped for a few pictures and 3x5 caught up to me as I was taking the one of the bunny below.He and I hiked and talked for another three miles to the wayside where we both planned on getting breakfast and resupplying. The resupply was pretty expensive, as was to be expected, but not quite as big a hit to my already-thin wallet as I had envisioned. The breakfast was very reasonably priced and quite the treat. 3x5 and I ate together and then hit the trail after the necessary repackaging of food had taken place.I took off ahead of him but was feeling my feet by the time I had gone the six miles to the next hut. I stopped there for half an hour to let them rest before moving on. The trail in this section was pretty rocky, slowing me down even more and I became frustrated with my pace, my feet, and the heat after less than two miles.I hadn't planned on stopping at Skyland Restaurant but I needed water quite badly as I passed by the side trail for it so I headed down, accepting that I had caved in for another hot meal. Fortunately there was a water fountain outside and I was able to fill up there before the sight of the menu robbed me of all self control. A few day visitors asked how many days I was out for and it was pretty gratifying to respond with, "almost 70" - not at all the answer they were expecting and for just a few minutes I was a living breathing superhero as I explained the Appalachian Trail to them.My spirits renewed, I continued on with another dose of vitamin I. I ran into a few flash showers. They weren't enough to get you wet, but enough to have you donning and shedding your raincoat every few minutes as the weather changed leaving you frustrated and feeling the sudden spike in humidity.I arrived at a picnic pavilion to find Coconuts and Spice Kit waiting out the weather there. I took a small break there and missed the next showers with them. We packed up and continued on towards the next hut. Not two minutes later a car rolled up with Raman Shaman, Cheezit, and Sheila (their dog) offering drinks and snacks! My first trail magic in the park and it was being provided for hikers, by hikers. They were taking some time off due to a foot injury and figured why not make the most of it and do some trail magic.Riding strong on a coke and lemonade I flew to the next shelter, stopped briefly to talk to Basil, a section hiker, and decided I had enough left in me to make it the last 4.4 miles to the next hut before dark. It was pretty much just a long descent and then a shorter climb at the other end and I blocked out my feet and got to it.I arrived at the shelter to find it disappointingly empty. There was a food bag hanging on the bear pole which was a little confusing but I could see no tent to match it with and assumed a day hiker had forgotten it. I set about prepping for dinner and was pleasantly surprised when I turned at the sound of footsteps to see Dune approaching! I hadn't seen him since just after the Smokies and it was good to see him after the long stretch. He informed me there was camping down a little path I had missed and I chose to join him there after he warned me about the mice in the shelter.It was dark by the time I had moved everything over, gotten water, and settled in. I was grateful for the Backpacker's Pantry meal my family had sent in the last care package and set the water to boil. As I was starting to pour the water into the packaging, and congratulating myself for not burning the tent down, I shifted my leg and accidentally brushed the still-hot metal of the stove. Jerking away from that I upset the pot I was holding and spilled boiling water over both my bare legs. There was just enough left for the meal, but I called it quits immediately after eating and curled up.