Date: 2014-08-04
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Chairback Pond Campsite
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I got out early before the boys group, but slept terrible. I have come to the realization that I will not get another decent nights sleep the rest of the hike. Every 30 minutes the mattress deflates and I'm sleeping on the ground. I have tried to improvise and stick my clothes and down jacket underneath to give me some sort of comfort or support, but my lack of sleep problems continue, and it was felt the rest of the day.If I could sleep and walk at the same time I would. I know I have said this before, but this time I feel I'm not 100%. The tiredness was probably more than just the uncomfortable sleep, I think I am sick. Along with Stretch and Fresh I have heard Happy and Tree got sick after Monson as well and took a day off. I'm not sure where, but they are off. Maybe a small case of "Noro"? Either way I feel bad as well. Nothing like nausea, but it got to the point where I almost just laid right on the trail just to sleep for a few minutes. I did take many rest and stops. I tries to eat as much as possible, but I only have enough for 6 days in the HMW(Hundred Mile Wilderness), so I have to be careful.Just a note for day and weekend hikers. If you stop at a shelter in the middle of the day, and you see another hiker laying down with their eyes closed....let them rest! Please. I arrived at Long Pond Stream Lean-to and did just that. I didn't eat or gather water. I took my shoes off, grabbed my down jacket for a pillow, and laid down to sleep. A SOBO day hiker came in all cheerful and chatty. I'm usually not this way, but I made every non-verbal communication skill that I had to tell this shmoe that I wanted to rest. It didn't work. Grrrrrr. So I ate, tried to mentally regain myself for this next push which under my current condition was going to be hard, and I was not looking forward to it. A decent size roller coaster of Barren Mountain along with Fourth and Third mountain was coming and I was in no mood to climb. My tiredness showed when I fell down three times today. The first fall was minimal, but no less a fall on the ass. The second fall was by far the worst on the entire trail, and other than the Rattlesnake heart scare in Pennsylvania this really got the blood pumping. Roots are everywhere in the HMW, and they are slippery. I was being very lazy with my feet and it showed. On a brief right turn going downhill, I stepped on one of these roots with my right foot and my whole body started spinning clockwise. I thought I was about to regain control, but I'm guessing that my backpacks weight resumed the momentum that I didn't account for. The spinning continued and I lost control as my left foot didn't land and I started down slope off the trail. My entire body was basically horizontal and was heading down a 10 foot drop off the trail. The split second that I had to react I saw 2 dead pine trees on the ground with dozens on 8-10" stems sticking out from the trunk and I was heading right at them. For the second time I thought I was able to control the fall, but again momentum continued me down the hill. My head glanced a moss covered rock as I was slowing down, and I eventually stopped laying 10 feet off and below the trail on my back. Regaining composure I realized that I came away from this fall with minimum damage and it could have been bad. I stayed on my back for a good 2 minutes regaining composure from what just happened. How did I miss all those dead spikes on the trees? How did I miss the rock that could of easily hit my head? Why am I falling for goodness sakes!?! I came out with a scrape on my right knee and shin, along with a small scrape on my right hand from bracing myself on the fall. My head eventually became sore with a small bump surfacing. The ledges near Barren Mountain gave me some good views, as did Fourth Mountain and Monument Cliff. However I was in no mood for views and scenery, all I wanted to do was rest and sleep knowing I had no mattress wasn't making my mood any better. Despite the day I got decent miles in even though I didn't get into the campsite till dark. East Chairback Pond Campsite is not really the best either. It's .2 downhill on the trail with not many spots to pitch a tent as most was low-lying and wet. My 3rd fall came on this side trail as I was side saddling a fallen tree. Again lazy feet and backpack momentum saw me on the ground only 100 yards from my eventual resting spot. What a day. I was the only one at this spot and for the 1st time in a while I was not comfortable with the site. It just felt weird, not safe. I tented in the dark between a couple of trees and climbed in exhausted. Maybe my extreme tiredness will trump my lack of comfort and I will sleep well. SOTD, Sentimental Lady, -Bob Welsh