Date: 2008-01-11
From: Weeser Bald Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

mi. 17.9sleep shelterdest Siler Bald Shelter day 182 I am typing one of my first entries with my gloves on, so everyone will have to bear with me. It might turn out better since I am paying more attension. I rained a lot last night. Still no thunderstorms. Still a little disappointed. But I am happy for the rain. More happy that it is raining at night and not during the day. That means that all the water sources will be flowing, not the caase earlier this year. I think I haven't had problems with water since right before Hot Srings. I woke up with my ankle fully rested nd feeling good. To make up for it my back was killing me. One of the reasons I miss my hammock. It turned out to be a struggle all day. For those who do not know I have back problems that surface every so often. Luckily I don't think it is too bad. Nothing some time and babying won't fix. Today I babied it will a long day. It was either that or hike back to NOC for more food. The hike as hole went well all things considered. The day was another of wqhat Missinglink calls a bonus day. 50 to 60 degrees and sunny. I'll take that in January anytime. I took a lot of lay down breaks. When my back is hurting me they are the beast things for me. One was at a shelter that was not in the guide books. I think it was right arounf Licklog gap. One of these days I'll put a list of all the funny names of stuff out here. But in a couple days I will be going close to Pickens Nose and I went opver Big Butt mountain a awhile back to give you an idea. Today the trail went by another fire tower. Actually 2. The first was a platform .8 from were I started and all socked in. The second was on Wayah, I think. It was spectacular. I 2 story stone structure with a room underneath. If it wouldn't have made for a long day tomorrow I would have stayed here tonight. Torque and I took a nice long break here. I layed on the stone wall next to the overlook for a good 20 or 30 minutes soaking in the sun. We were talking and one of the things that we miss the most from earlier in the hikes is the long seista breaks for lunch. A nice long rest break to break up the day. It makes long days sop much more enjoyable. I did see my first 2 forest service workers up there. They were looking at replacing a sign someone stole. That bring the count to 1 ridgerunner (kind opf a junior ranger/saw my last day in the smokies), 2 forest service rangers, and 3 park rangers (1 at Katadin stream who is like the desk clerk at a hotel and 2 in SNP). On the way down we pased 2 guys in their 50's really huffing it with huge heavy looking packs. They asked us how far to water and the tower. We said that there was plenty of water in about .5 or less. We passed a bunch of little streams and springs all flowing from the rain. They said good because they badly needed water soon. I would have offered them some but I only had 3/4 a liter to get me the 4 or so to the shelter. They asked where we were headed and said the next shelter south. They said man that is quite a hule from here. That kind of told us something. There turned out to be water less than .5 from where we saw them flowing good. It was just off the trail, but easily seeable. That and someone wrote on a sign south of it water in .1. There also turned out to be 2 or more springs flowing good within the next mile. I think either they didn't want the water from them or didn't see them. They had to see the one that flowed across the trail. I think that also goes to show how differently I look at water sourcesa after spending so much time on the trail. All of them looked good. I would have dipped and sipped from at least one of them. Maybe they were waiting from one that said water source on a sign. Right before the shelter is Silver bald, I think. It isa actually just off trail. Probibly a good .3 with a good incline. We huffed it up and got there at the best possible time, right before sunset. We watched as the sign went from just above the mountains in the distance, to below the horizon. It was probibly top 2 of the trail. It wasa truely amazing. I took a record number of picture for one event, that's saying something. I couldn't get over how red the clouds were. There was also mountains all round. We set up there for a good bit watching it. This is one of those places I will be returning to after I finish. We got to the shelter just after dark to find missinglink and john there wondering if we were going to show up. I ended up eating dinner and assuming the troll position. I wanted to rest the back. It was feeling better, but it going to take some time.