Date: 2007-04-10
From: Derrick Knob Shelter, NC

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

What an interesting evening. I got all zipped up but just couldn't shake thechill. I got up twice within 2 hrs to pee, and remember, your body will do thatif it isn't warm enough. I wasn't sure why what worked for me last nite wasn'tworking tonight. It was in the 30's inside my hammock, so I experimented withsomething a bit.I have heard if you wear to many layers inside your sleeping bag, you'll becolder. So here is what I did. I built up duff under my head end of thehammock. I slipped my sleeping bag liner OVER my bag on the outside. I took mydown jacket off and layed it on top of the bag, and I put my hot water bottleright over my groin. I also used my micropuff vest by my right side asinsulation. I cinched the draft collar on my bag, put a handwarmer on each sideof my torso and WALLA! I was warm all nite! Interesting. I did not drink awhole liter of water last nite so perhaps I was slightly dehydrated. So inside of my bag, I was wearing my thermals, wool socks, fleece pants, longsleeved hiking shirt, and glove liners. I had my balaclava and knit hat on aswell. I think you have to have a small air pocket between you and the bag. Ifnot, the air can't warm and I think you'll get chills. Just guessing here, butit sort of makes sense. It was supposed to get down to 20 last nite. I'm notsure if it did or not, but even now, at 8:00 a.m., my fingers are aching due tothe cold air. Guess I should get my lazy butt up.Oh, when I did get up at midnite to water the leaves for the 3rd time, I keptlooking around for the moon, because it was so bright. Beieve it or not, it wasthe stars! The nite sky was so unbelievaby clear, I almost couldn't believe it. If it hadn't been so cold, I would have star gazed for a while.I knew we were only going 7.2 miles today, so I wasn't stressing about what timeI got out of camp (just a few weeks ago, that distance would have been a fullday for me! YIPPY)I got going around 10:15 a.m., and to my surprise, blew thru the first 2.7 milesin 1 1\2 hrs, which is pretty fast for me! LOL By 11:45 a.m, it was in themid-50's, but there was still a cool breeze, so if I was sitting still, I had towear my long sleeved shirt.   Regarding my holes in my trailrunner mesh, I told Eric and Persistent I figuredout what had happened. I call it the "Hulk Affect." See, my pinky toes havegrown such big muscles from hiking for over 4 weeks, that they are ripping thruthe mesh. Makes sense right? LOLToday's hike was really easy. I ate lunch @ Siler Bald Shelter @ 1:45 p.m. (acold and windy shelter) with Y-Not, Hiking Pole (who is from Poland) and MusicMan. Y-not is the cool guy from NJ who is French. We had a great conversationabout tattoos. I really like him a lot.It was up to Siler Bald, which at the top had a view of the ominous Clingman'sDome, which we will climb tomorrow. Also, the blazes are confusing up onSiler's Bald. I took a pic, but basically, if you're a NOBO, turn right. Ifyou're a SOBO, turn left. There are two blazes and two arrows pointing right ateach other. Pretty hilarious. Made me think of the Bugs Bunny cartoons, "Whichway did he go George, which way did he go?" LOLSpeaking of confusing blazes, there is a big difference hiking alone vs. withsomeone. You can't zone out quite so much when alone. So far the Smokies havereally been lacking in frequent blazes. Once today, I realized I hadn't seenone in awhile and got a little panicy (I hiked alone again today). Did Isomehow end up on another trail without knowing it? Here's a trick for futurethru's, constantly look at the back sides of the trees as you pass them. Manytimes there are blazes for SOBO's, and it will be forever till you see one forNOBO's. I was on track by the way, just a little unnerving though.About .5 miles from our shelter tonite, the landscape totally changed. It lookslike a Colorado Mt., with big evergreens or something. It totally looks like aGrizzley Bear could pop out of the woods at any moment! LOL I got to the shelter @ 3:45 p.m., and as I was walking around looking for a siteto hang, a deer walked right past all of us! It didn't seem phased by us atall. I got a couple of pics, hope they are good.There's another weather front moving in. The wind is blowing a million miles anhour, but the shelter is located just below the ridge, thank god. We aresupposed to get rain tonite and all day tomorrow. I'm sure no good views fromClingmans if that happens. We're headed into Gatlinburg tomorrow, and I'mexcited about getting out of the cold for a few nites.Eric did really good today, but he is REALLY glad he's done after tomorrow! LOL He is a great guy, and him and Persistent make a wonderful couple.I am setting up my warmth situation like last nite, even though it is forecastedto be 34 instead of 20. I can't believe I am excited about 34 degree low! LOLI have built up duff on one side of my tarp, and am debating whether I should dothe other side. Not a lot of good duff around, and it takes forever @ thislocation. Maybe I should just do it though. Wouldn't want to be out in therain.It is currently 6:45 p.m. and it is 43 degrees. I am sitting out on a log, butif that wind were hitting me, I would have been in hours ago. There are boy scouts here, Y-not, and some others I don't know. 10.8 tomorrowand a dry warm space! YIPPY!I am going to make my hot water bag right now, and hit the sack. In case anyonedoubted, I am still having the time of my life. Being out here is amazing, andit is beautiful. Physcally, I am feeling stronger everyday. No blisters, and Ihave not had to duct tape any hot spots in a long time. I am getting used to myown stench, and washing clothes doesn't seem like that big of a deal anymoreeither! LOL A shower would be nice, but that doesn't excite me that muchanymore either. What does is warmth without working for it. Guess 4 weeks onthe trail is what it takes to assimilate to this lifesyle. Don't worry folks,I'll be clean again once I re-enter your world. hee hee~Certain