Date: 2008-03-25
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 12 -- Last night wasn't as bad as it could've been--our packed shelter kept everyone warm enough. We all, very hesitantly and one-by-one, ventured out of our sleeping bags. It was still very cold--our coldest night and morning yet. Red and Aries were up and out pretty fast, I'm sure to get warm fast. The rest of us cooked hot breakfast (except me--I was out of fuel) and ran back and forth between the fire packing our stuff. Wing It was taking a really long time getting ready to go and my toes were starting to go numb, so I decided to start without her. This would make our first day starting separately (excluding Day 1 when we didn't know each other). It was nice to be alone for a while, to be just with me and my thoughts. The only time I've really been by myself has been going to the privy (outhouse). The day started with climbing Standing Indian Mountain, and then coasted along for a while, just enjoying being with myself. I came across Fire, Gutsy, and her friend. The latter two were going to go SOBO (southbound). Fire took off NOBO (northbound), of course, but I didn't catch up to him for a while again. From there until lunch we hiked together, and particularly enjoyed a stream that had some of its water still frozen. We lunched on a fallen log and as we got up to keep going Wing It and Mainiac hiked up. The four of us hiked for about a half-mile until Carter Gap Shelter where they lunched and we went on. We climbed some and came to a fantastic view (see video below) where we sat briefly and met Newt. I lost him quickly after that because I tend to go slower after lunch, at least initially. I passed a nice man from Atlanta and his dog, Buffy (I'm sorry I didn't get his name). It's always nice to play with friendly dogs on the trail, especially because I miss mine! I passed two men, and then finally caught up with Fire. We did some fun clumbing above a steep dropoff on the ridge--reminded me some of the Long Trail (VT). After that we came to a sign that said "Trail Magic" with a blue bandana on it. We peeked around and met BJ, Gatorade, and Fred the Fisherman who had hot dogs, oranges, fudge, desserts, soda, etc. Fire and I hung out there for a while and were on our way, ready to climb Albert Mountain. It was a short steep climb, and on top was a fire tower and a fantastic view. Fire and I sauntered down to the shelter. We collected wood and I learned how to make a fire without matches. Wing It and Mainiac came into camp with a grand plan to keep going to the next shelter. 14 miles wasn't enough. :>) Actually, we wanted to make it into town as early as possible, plus she had a bad feeling about some guys she met that were to be coming to the shelter, so we pushed on 5.3 more miles. My left heel and the ball of my right foot were pretty sore already. I feel like I hobbled all the way. It was tough for me mentally to go from the "settling-in" mindset to the "let's hike 5 more miles" mentality. But I made it...I came around the side of the mountain and heard Wing It whoop and holler, which really helped me. My feel hurt, of course, but 19.1 miles--YEAH!!Video: