Date: 2016-06-07
From: Warspur Shelter

To: Stealth campsite on Bush Mt.
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: few clouds

I will get to the explanation for the title a bit later. I zonked last night. I mean passed out instantly once getting into my tent. I guess a 25 mile day hiking will do that to you. I woke up around 7:30 got up and made breakfast. I ate while writing my journal entry and packed up. I got on trail about 9am which is kind of late for me. After the first 2 miles I did not see Ompi so he must of already got packed up and was on his way. The first climb of the day was Kelly's Knob. The climb started out ok but there was a one mile stretch that was steep and several rest breaks were needed. I dropped my pole which disappeared in all the tall green plants on the side of the trail. I reached in to find my pole then realizing they were stinging nettles. Ouch!! I reached the top of Kelly Knob and there was a view where I had s snack. Spam and her guy where coming up the side trail as I was coming back from the view. I asked if they had seen Ompi and they said no. He must be ahead of me then. I moved on climbing down to the next shelter which was Laurel Creek. When I got there it was lunch time so I ate while reading the log. Ompi was there at 10 am and was headed for the shelter we both agreed to shoot for which was 18.2 miles. Wow if he was there at 10 that means he got on trail by 7am. How the heck did he do that as I was still dead to the world. I moved on and the trail passed through a few fields which were really pretty. After the fields and before the next big climb we passed by Keffer Oak which is the biggest oak on the AT and its about 300 years old. I thought Dover Oak in New York was bigger but maybe it's the oldest Oak tree on the AT. Next the big climb began up Sinking Creek Mountain. The climb up was another fought with very steep pitches and loose soil. It turned into switchbacks which made for a much easier go of it but the beginning was pure hell. Finally I made it to the ridge line and followed that for 6 miles. There was a shelter up top which was 1/2 mile off trail. I didn't need to stop so I kept moving on. The ridge climbed over some rock ledges with some great views. It down poured for about 2 minutes. It was just enough time to get my pack cover on and it stopped. There was rain north of my location but it should miss. The random downpour was just for fun. It was partly sunny too when it happened and there was a rainbow but not well enough visible to take a picture. I began the climb down to Niday shelter which was about a 3 mile walk from the top of the ridge. About 1/2 mile from the shelter I reached into my side pocket for water. As I was doing so I was like wrong side that's the one that is empty. However my hand was where the bottle should of been and no bottle. It must of fallen out on the way down. Oh no ugh. I walked back for a bit and didn't see it. It could be anywhere in the 3 mile stretch. I kept moving on and hoped someone would bring it if they saw it in the trail. Just like Spam's I-phone from yesterday. When I got to the shelter Ompi had finished dinner and was packing up. He said he was gonna try and get to the top of the next mountain so we didn't have so many climbs. I said good idea but didn't know what to do about my water bottle. I decided at least to filter and fill the bottle I have and wait to see if anyone shows up with it. When I got back from filtering Ompi had got his shoes on. He said that either way we both would still go to the same shelter tomorrow so if I decided to stay the night at the shelter no biggie. He pushed on and I sat filling out the log book. I told myself I would wait an hour and if it didn't show up most likely no one saw it. At the shelter there was a pastor, 4 seniors who has just graduated and two other guys. I think all that were there were the same group from the same church doing a section hike. They were from Ohio. The pastor said let me give you this extra Nalgeen water bottle as I don't need it right now. I was most appreciative and told him if my bottle shows up he can keep it as an AT memory. I can't for the life of me remember his name as my hiker brain is in a fog. I told him about my trail journal if he was interested in following along. Pastor if you are reading this THANK YOU again for being so kind and offering me your water bottle. I wonder if mine showed up if so message me on here and let me know. Did you keep it? Do you want yours back? I can mail it. The pastor also gave me a meat bar and a cliff bar. The trail provided for me again when I was in need. 7pm hit and no one had come to the shelter from the trail. I got up and said goodbye to everyone and pushed on. The first 2 miles were easy and then we got to climb three. I took my phone out and out my headphones in and played some upbeat music to get myself up the hill. 3/4 of the way up I came across Ompi who said I'm dead and can't go on anymore so I stopped here. We were in a neat spot, which was a narrow ridge. I found a spot to set up my tent. Organized made dinner and now ready to pass out. Tomorrow we are hiking to just near Mcaffe Knob which is the most recognized part of the trail in my opinion. It's the lion king like outcrop where people stand out looking over the valley. I just realized I will be reaching this spot a year to the date that Al Cratty died from cancer. He was the original owner of smitty (the walking stick). I am carrying this stick as a tribute to AL who always wanted to walk the AT but died before he got the chance. This is his last hike and I have the pleasure of taking him on it, smitty that is. I find it fitting that I will be at Mcaffe on the anniversary of his pasting. Tomorrow I am gonna try and get into a town. We cross a road that leads to a grocery. I need a bit more food as its getting tight. The royal couple are within our reach.