Date: 2002-04-02
From: Long Creek Falls area

To: Horse Gap
Miles today: 6.0

Didn't sleep very well, and gave up trying at 7am. I dingled around in the tent, rolling up the ThermaRest and sleeping bag, etc, and shortening some straps. I had a candle going last night and promptly burned a hole in the no-see-um netting on my front door. No critters bothered my foodbag. I wasn't really hungry so I just put gorp in my fanny pack and took a big drink. Did something I shouldn't have - buried my garbage next to my poop. I don't plan to make a habit of it; I just don't have a 'system' yet. While I was putting my boots on, the two guys whose campsite I had admired went by. Shortly the 'beagle people' - a dad and 2 kids 12-13ish and a beagle went by. Later they passed me and he told me I had missed a beautiful waterfall ("Thank you"). For spite I thought I might tell him they missed the rattlesnake and black bear, but no way was I able to catch up to them! Just taking things easy - frequent stops on the trail to wait for my heart to catch up with my lungs (It's the altitude, I keep saying - nothing to do with being 60# overweight with a 40# pack). Uphill sure slows me down, and downhill is treacherous and bangs my little toes against the inside of my boots. Very pretty - like the Smokies. I'd like to come here in May/June when the rhododendron are in bloom.Crossed a road - saw 2 vehicles shining up ahead. Some locals were in a field stooped over picking something up. Then 3 guys passed me all in a row. The first one was surly and far too superior to speak to me. The second was follicularly challenged. The third, who was actually almost as slow as me going uphill, asked me if I had sent my husband ahead. I said no, I don't know either of those guys up there - but he must've seen Cornelius at Stover Creek shelter and asked about him. I told him he had gone to the Space Center and would meet me at Neel's Gap Thursday.A nice young guy with two poles and earphones passed me - he's on his second attempt - last year he blew out his knee at Unicoi Gap. He asked me where 'we' camped. Maybe he was at the shelter yesterday too. I guess dreads got most of my attention there.Passed a sobo couple with 3 kids. Young Canadian couple passed me. You can tell by their nosehairs they're Canadian. Woo hoo - just passed the uphill slowpoke - first person I passed!!! He was taking his boots off - I said 'Got bandaids?' He said 'yea, I'm taking care of a HOTSPOT'. At the stream just S of Hawk Mountain shelter I caught up with the Canadians, Unicoi guy, beagle people, and later hotspot came along. I got water and would've stayed longer, but when you stop, the little flies start nipping. Of all things, there was an old tire there, and a 1 1/2' garter snake was hiding behind it. I signed in at the shelter and kept going. There was a white-hair and bearded guy eating at the picnic table and a not-very-attractive guy with his shirt off. Leaving the shelter, there was a guy and two women going to it. Hotspot was going to the shelter and asked if I was leaving or if it was already full. Everybody's worried about some big crowd - WHAT CROWD? People have pants, jackets, and internal frame packs on - I'm sweating in shorts, T, and external frame. Either my head is expanding or my hat is shrinking.Came to Hightower Gap and crossed a gravel road (what a treat). After that it was a KILLER uphill! I think a green SUV dropped off two young girls - they looked pretty clean. Of course, they both passed me, the heavier one took a little longer, though. I was taking pix of wildflowers (toadstool trillium, new mayapple shoots) and a luna moth. She admired me for thru-hiking alone. Got my own little hoard of sweat flies. Only swallowed one bug so far today.Did my guidebook say how hard this is? I don't think Hotspot will be catching up to me very soon. Thank God and skin prep - no blister yet! I got up thisdamnmountain and it started going uphill again. I needed a major break, so I propped my pack against a tree, and me against it; hung my sox from a branch, spread out my Tyvek, and drank almost a liter of koolaid and my cold noodles from last night. Hope they don't givemetheshits. I transcribed all the taped notes from today while everybody I knew and some I didn't passed me again. What a treat for the feet, though after that break, I didn't see a soul. I'd swear these people go to bed at 4pm. I continued on, slowly, until about 6pm. I'm not sure what mountain I'm on, but I should be close to Justus Creek camp. Maybe at the bottom of this mountain, but my feet were too sore to do a downhill. I really pushed myself today - my biggest fear now is to not make it to Cornelius Thursday. I kept listening for voices; none. My ass and legs really got a workout today! After my break I was trying to put my right boot on and my thigh kept cramping. I took another rest - propped my pack up against a tree, and me up against it, right on the trail. I even considered staying there all night, but I started getting cold after a few minutes. Thank God for cool mountain breezes, and dry trails. It's warmer tonight in the tent - I'm only half covered. Speaking of halves, I've only got about 1/2 cup of water left. I didn't have supper tonight - I brought pop-tarts and gorp into the tent, but as of 1am I haven't eaten them. Just 2 doses of Motrin. I must've slept a few hours.