Date: 2008-07-20
From: Secret Shelter 

To: Mirvanah
Miles today: 0.0

I hiked alone today. It was kind of nice to not have anyone behind me or in front of me. I found my mind wandering more and my train of thought was different. Mango and Grettle are ahead of me right now. They were dropped off at the spot that they had began slack packing at yesterday (about 9 miles from where I am staying currently). My goal was to take my time chipping away at their lead and eventually catching up with them a week or so from now... that was my plan until I remembered there was somewhere I need to be next Saturday...I am in the process of arranging a zero day in Massachusetts with my sisters, cousin and friends at a campground in North Adams Mass. I preliminarily scanned my guide books to assure my sister (Cindy) that I could hit North Adams on a Saturday (July 26). I noted that it was doable and moved forward with the arrangement the last time I had cell reception. Today I realized that the 26th is only 6 days away. I broke out the maps and built an itinerary that gets me to North Adams on the 26th.Starting tomorrow I will be hiking over 15 miles per day for the next 6 days. Wednesday I am scheduled to hike 22 and Thursday 18+. I kind of enjoy the challenge of getting somewhere on time, it gives me more drive to walk. I imagine with my new itinerary that I will catch up with Mango and Grettle sooner than later. The question is... do they want to join me in getting to Mass on a deadline? Before recognizing how close the 26th is... I chose to stop at Mirvanah Lean-to. It's only about 10 miles out from the secret shelter (where I stayed last night). I liked this shelter, my pack needed some repair and it has been down pouring all day, I began to set up shop at 2pm. Another south bounder named Spoon joined me about 1hr after I arrived. I stayed with Spoon last night as well in the secret shelter (Swansong Shelter). We have crossed paths several times along the journey, but this is the first time I have had a chance to get to know him. Spoon's got a great sense of humor and a heavy southern accent that I enjoy listening to. I influenced him to cut his day shorter than expected and he made himself comfortable for the nights stay. Spoon and I collected wood for a fire and went over maps for the next few days. His birthday is tomorrow, he's turning 24 and wants to hike 24 miles to celebrate... we discussed some alternatives to celebrate his birthday but he seems pretty adiment about hiking the 24 miles. I kindly let him know that there was no way in hell I was joining him. He joked about how he should have hiked the trail when he was a teenager.Turtle also arrived at this shelter (I also stayed with Turtle last night at the Swansong Shelter) at about 5-6:00pm. He appreciated the fire and cooked his dinner on it... in the pouring rain.I got only a couple hours of sleep last night. It took me hours to fall asleep and I kept waking up with beads of sweat all over me. I was shirtless and my sleeping bag was sticking to me. I could not get comfortable and my sleeping bag was soaked. I would be surprised if I got 3 hours in. Perhaps this is part of my reasoning for taking light day today. It is 8:30pm and I am about to call it a night. Tomorrow I am scheduled to do 15 miles. I set a goal of exceeding the mandatory and accomplishing 18 miles. Hopefully I sleep well and wake up feeling strong.This morning I used my Thera-Band exercise elastic and worked my biceps, deltoids and lats. before leaving for my hike. I also did 50 close hand pushups in order to warm up from a break I took in the pouring rain. When I hike alone I think a lot about my nutrition and physical conditioning. I am constantly thinking of ways to improve both and want to become more efficient with diet and full body exercise along the trail.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"