Date: 2011-06-26
To: Where's the Water???
Miles today: 0.0

I know that my meanderings yesterday must have perplexed many of you. Here's what happened:The day before yesterday I had pushed myself to do some better miles. I started early in the day and maintained a steady pace until I finally stopped relatively late in the day. I'd been hiking for about 12 hours steadily, with a few breaks for meals and such. By the time I ended my day I was tired, and all I wanted to do was to go go bed. I had sufficient water to get Tessa and me through the night, and for our breakfast. My AT Guidebook indicated that a good water source was a mere mile away, so I wasn't concerned. I woke up, broke camp, and began my day's hike. The miles immediately took me up some steep climbs. The first water source was completely dry, but no worries...the guide indicated that the next water source was another mile up the trail. The climb remained steep, and I was out of water by this point, but no big deal hiking one more mile without water. So I continued on my climb. I reached the water source: a scummy, brown pond full of tadpoles and frogs and who knows what else. I thought to myself, "The guidebook indicates another spring two miles ahead. I'll hold out for that. I can't drink this pond water." So I trudged on, only to discover that, yes, that spring, too, was dry. I realized that the scummy pond was my best bet, so I had to hike back to it, two miles and some change. I decided to leave my pack, since I'd be returning that way anyway, so I hiked just a bit further to Chestnut Knob shelter, doffed my pack, and returned to the dreadful scummy pond. The pond was surrounded by a boggy, muddy shore. I tried to pick my footing carefully to get to the water's edge, but within moments I found myself mid-calf deep in boot-sucking mud. I had to laugh despite myself.I set to my task of filtering water. I soon realized, much to my dismay, that my water filter had decided to quit on me! I took it apart and tried to troubleshoot, but I could see nothing wrong. It was at this moment that I turned to Tessa and said, "We're in a bit of trouble here, girl." Just then, a day hiker came strolling near the pond. I asked him if he happened to have a water filter or even some purification tablets with him. Sadly, he did not. But he indicated that after he finished his day hike, he'd be returning to his car, where he had water and could offer me a ride to the nearest town, where I could address the water purification issue. I couldn't continue on until I had a means to acquire clean water. So, I hiked back the two-plus miles I'd just come to the pond, retrieved my pack, and hiked an additional 5 miles to his car. A total of about 14 miles, all without water, and I was parched. I really felt unwell. My stomach hurt and my mouth felt like felt. I decided to accept Christopher's kind offer to drive me to a town with a Wal-Mart, hoping that they might sell purification tablets. I decided to sleep in a hotel and start fresh in the morning. By this late hour, there was no way I was going to return to the trail until the following day (today). So here I am in Princeton West Virginia, in a Comfort Inn. I had a good meal, a good night's sleep, and a bath...lovely. Soon I'll head to the laundromat and wash my clothes, then I'll return to the trail.Christopher, I'm so glad you happened along when you did. You're help made it a lot easier for me to get out of my jam. Thank you ever so much for your kindness. You are a true Trail Angel.My water purification issue is resolved. When I realized that my filter was broken and I'd have to get off the trail to resolve it, I called Pat so he wouldn't worry when he saw my curious wanderings on SPOT. By the time I reached my hotel, he'd done some online research about troubleshooting the issue with my filter. The fix turned out to be relatively simple. So, after laundry, it's back to the trail for me. Thanks, Sweetheart, for your help once again!A special thanks to Xtofersdad in England, who has called me twice now just to make sure I am okay. Twice you have brightened my day with your concern. Thank you, my cyber friend.P.S. My computer is now completely dead, so don't expect any new posts until I catch up to my drop box in Pearisburg, about 65 miles away by trail.