Date: 2006-03-21
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light rain

3-21-06Wesser Bald Shelter to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)5.7 milesIt rained with some fierceness during the night, with my guesstimation being about 3-4 inches total. I woke up to a not too cold morning, with a light drizzle surrounding us. Uncle John and I had very little water, maybe a half of bottle between us, so we each ate a dry breakfast and drank some water sparingly, all because we didn't want to walk back uphill to where a spring was located.We left around 7:35AM, pretty thirsty, and traversed for about a mile over some hilly terrain. At this point, I was sweating and getting thirstier, so I was sucking drops of water off the edges of leaves as we walked past them. Right as we got to beginning of our five mile descent, I got ahead of Uncle John because the urge and need for water was taking over and I wanted to get down to NOC with a quickness and get a cold beverage of delicious orange juice.As I was descending I heard water on the side of the path but couldn't see it. Ripped up a patch of moss and there was water pouring out in all its glory. I drank my fill, and hoped Uncle John would see it also- later on I found out he did.So down I went. However, this was probably the steepest (especially at a part of the trail called the "Jump-Off) and longest descent on the trail so far. And as far as trail conditions were concerned, the most dangerous. The rain had finally abated, but yesterday's and last night's downpour had left the trail wet and slick. There is nothing more dangerous to step on then a wet or icy root when on the trail, other than a rattlesnake. And wet roots combined with a skinny trail plus a steep hillside with only trees to break your fall made for dangerous hiking conditions indeed.Curly Rambo trail wisdom:When your attention wanders, accidents happen.I had to be completely focused to hike these five miles, and not do the usual half-hiking, half day-dreaming, I can usually accomplish on the trail. Each step must be planned and judged accordingly for terrain material, angle, condition, danger, trekking pole position, and current personal balance at every moment. But what doesn't kill you always makes you stronger, or wiser.But nobody's perfect, so I had my first AT fall today. I stepped on a jumble of wet roots, before learning of their devious way, and my foot shot out and I fell right on my bum. Nothing major, just a sore butt for a little while as I continued descending to the NOC.I finally made it there around 10:00AM, later than my projected goal, and my first order of business was to set down my pack and get an orange juice and a Snickers bar. Upon entering the store, I was stunned by the abundance of stuff contained within the building when a well-meaning employee asking if he could help me, completely taking me by surprise. It took me a bit to weigh out the meaning of what he just said before finally replying, "UUUhhhh, where could I find a cold beverage?" He showed me with the courteous efficiency of a seasoned employee, and I was left standing there in his dust.After wining and dining, I tried to call Shanae a couple of times to no avail, and spotted Uncle John coming down the mountain. I was very glad to see him, as I had worried about him making down safely, as I had much difficultly with the descent. But there he was, safe and sound, with only one fall to report, and we set about the business of getting him a snack and finding out about room availability. We rented a cabin/hotel room for $45, and then went back into the supply store to obtain laundry detergent, quarters, and special treat to myself, a pint of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, of the "Twisted" variety.We hiked it up the steep hill to our room, I with the trekking poles in one hand, Ben and Jerry's in the other. Our accommodations were quite nice, big room, double beds, loft, balcony, showers, and bathroom right outside the room. It could have just been a warm, dry hole in the wall and we would have probably liked it just the same.The packs got unpacked, the clothes ready for the wash, a pint of ice cream consumed, and Uncle John hopped in the shower while I tried to get a hold of Shanae. I finally did, and I talked to her for awhile. We went over her packing list for when she joins me in Hot Springs and caught up on things. She is currently in Raleigh staying with he mom at a hotel there, because her mom is taking a class in the area and asked Shanae to come up and visit.I got off the phone and Uncle John got out of the shower and then he put a load of wash in while I got my shower. As I washed off five days of sweat and grime, I thought about how much you appreciate the daily things we take for granted, like showers, when you are without them for a few days. Hiking and camping in the wilderness for extended periods of time makes you appreciate many things a whole lot more.Now clean, I made some hot coffee, then changed into my rain gear (the moon suit) so I could wash all my other clothing. Even after my pint of ice cream, I was still pretty hungry, so I made some hummus, and enjoyed that with some crackers and coffee while reading the only magazine available downstairs, the Oprah Winfrey "O" magazine. It had to be the worst magazine I have ever read; more than half the pages were ads for this or that product/clothing item or another and most of the articles were either on dieting or personal growth. I have some advice for "O" readers out there (and don't take this the wrong way): save your money and don't buy this magazine, instead of reading about dieting, get out there and exercise with that spare time, and pick up a hobby to foster some personal growth. Sorry to all of you "O" readers, but let's be honest here: her magazine sucks. 'Nuff said. (In stating my opinion in this past paragraph, I hope not to offend, as it is only my opinion)With my clothes washed and dried, and my "O"-induced anger frizzled to a more manageable slight irritation. Uncle John and I set out to check out the supply store. We perused for a long time, examining all their wares, and piling up our potential purchases. Uncle John got some trail snacks, an alcohol stove, and socks (very nice soft warm ones) for Aunt Diane, Jessica, and Emily. I sent a package to Shanae with a pair of the same socks, a postcard, my 100-mile bandanna, and a snail shell from the trail. I purchased some Superfeet insoles (my feet have been getting sore), a rain/sun hat, two new bandannas (one for the camera protection and a new one for myself), more BodyGlide, an aluminum tent stake, and various trail snacks.Purchase in hand, we went to the restaurant to grab some grub. It was pretty inexpensive with a nice view of the Nantahala River. We enjoyed some sweet tea and sandwiches and fries. Just as we were about to pay for the check and leave, Betty (Energizer Bunny) and Brad came in and told us their horrendous story from last night. They and three other hikers tried to sleep in the stone tower on top of Wayah Bald last night, and with all the rain, they were flooded out. The three other hikers slept in their tents, Brad slept on a table in the flooded room, and Betty slept in the privy! I was just glad no one had suffered serious consequences from that whole ordeal.When we went outside we realized it had started to rain, and Uncle John had left his boots out on the balcony. So we ran up the hill, burst into our room, and flew over to the balcony, only to discover his boots were perfectly dry because it was a covered balcony.Uncle John called Aunt Diane (I guess she got in an accident with the new Honda) and some family member. I then called Shanae for a chat and then my mom. I told her of my trail name: Curly Rambo, and we talked about some dreams she had, and my thoughts on my brother. It¢s so strange to me that last year around this time, what was once my living, breathing brother is now a pile of ashes hanging from around my neck, and in a box at home. There is a loneliness that comes from losing a brother that is indescribable- words fail to grasp that connection we had, but still the world turns round. So like the trail, we take it step by step, day by day, and at some point we will finish, together.Curly Rambo trail wisdom:Some days we look in the mirror and see the summation of all events, people, places that brought us here today; some days we look and see all the might haves, could haves, should haves, and all other possible futures; some days we look and just see ourselves, for what we are, and we smile in recognition.