Date: 2009-04-11
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hiker's Hostel, Dennis Cove
Miles today: 15.6

Sat Apr 11, Day 32: The shelter filled up late last night. One obnoxious group of section hikers showed up. They were very loud. Thru-hikers and section hikers sometimes don't get along. Now don't get me wrong - some sectioners are nice people. BUT it's the ones who think they own the trail or the shelter that leave a bad taste.This morning I got up early at 0500 to find a thru-hiker sleeping on the ground inside the shelter. I almost stepped on his head after making a nature call. After a cold breakfast I start out on the trail in the dark at 0551 hours. My headlamp illuminates the white blazes and I'm extra cautious not to get lost. I make good time. It's overcast and the rain begins, so I stop and put on raingear. A little while later (about 10 miles after starting to hike) I stop at the Moreland Gap Shelter to eat a snack for the next grueling section. Hmmm...Ramen noodles and honey and Snickers bars! Very filling. On the trail to the Kincora Hiker's Hostel, click on picture to see full size.From the shelter it's 400' up in less than a mile and a half to where I crest White Rocks Mountain at 4,206'. A little over four (mostly downhhill) miles later I arrive at the Kincora Hiker's Hostel, on Dennis Cove Road near Hampton, TN. The hostle is run by Bob Peoples, who is legendary for his trail work and for helping thru-hikers. Kincora Hiker's Hostel Bob Peoples at the Kincora HIker's HostelI pick a bunk, grab a hot shower, some lunch, and get laundry done. Bob shuttled a group of us into Elizabethton, TN to do a resupply at the local grocery store. Everything¢s good, it feels so nice to be out of the weather. Honey Dew suggests cooking a pasta dinner so we all chip in. Not bad for $6.00 which includes desserts. Honey Dew Cooking Words to Live ByBob hangs around the hostel and has a very interesting talk about the trail. I learned how the trail is re-routed, the process of how blazes are designated, the problems of privies above 5,000', and how trail maintenance works. Very informative! Thanks, Bob, for all you¢ve done for the trail and for the hikers. Bob Peoples and Spokes In the hostel tonight: Boomer, Hightop, Carolina, Honey Dew, and Zen Master. Hightop, Boomer, and Carolina Bob Peoples and Spokes Vince Lombardi quote I¢m only two or three days out of Damascus, VA where I¢ll take a much needed rest day. Hopefully I will get to update the Journal and do some more scouring of the Guest Book entries. I want to take this chance to give a special shout out to Matt Britz and China Boat. Thanks for the suggestion on the toy snake. I think that will be a Dollar Store purchase, should be something easy to carry in the pack; it may help out with the mice. These last three days since Erwin have simply been rough trail conditions. The snow started to melt pretty bad and it was real slippery on the trail. I took about three or four spills. My right hip and right shin are hurting just a little bit because of trying to maintain balance and because of slipping and falling on some rocks. But nothing¢s broken or bleeding so I¢m doing pretty good. I¢ll load up on Vitamin I and Coca-Cola and Gatorade tonight, just put the old dogs up in the air and let ¢em relax for a little bit. It will probably be Damascus (50 miles from here) before I can report in again with an update.I want to thank everybody else, including all the friends and colleagues at work, for signing the Guest Book. Sure means a lot to read your posts. Click here for audio journal