Date: 2006-03-28
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

6:39 p.m.First we went up a long, long uphill which was slushy sometimes but also pleasantly clear in places. We woke up to warm weather, and although a warm night meant a good night's sleep, it also meant that instead of the frozen trail hike we had kind of hoped for, it looked like we were in for loads of slush. As it turned out, the warm weather and sun melted many sections, so we had that going for us, which was nice. Anyway the big hill wasn't all that bad in the end and we stopped at Hogback Ridge Shelter to have some lunch. The sun beat down and it was warm. I took off my pack cover (it had rained a bit earlier in the day, which threated to make the long climb really horrible), and after I stuffed it, I dropped it and it rolled down a little hill. Just kept going. Kaptain went over as if to pick it up for me, then kicked it farther just to piss me off and make me go retrieve it. It was quite funny, actually. I chased him, got it back, struggled with Lockjaw for it, then watched as Slip n' Slide and Kaptain played a little baseball with it and a hiking pole. After lunch things went kind of downhill for me (although not literally because we still had several serious uphills left to take on). Sunshine and I were hiking. I rolled my left ankle once. Twice. Probably my worst acute injury of the trail so far. I rolled my right ankle a couple of times the other day, but it wasn't as bad as this. Sunshine stopped with me though, and stayed with me, which was nice of him. The trail underfoot stayed okay for awhile and the sun kept shining. The closer we got to Big Bald, however, the more snow and slush we encountered. The higher elevations meant more accumulation and the warm weather produced slush that was exhausting and frustrating to navigate. I felt as if I was walking at 2.5 mph and only making forward progress at about 1. On the flat surfaces the slush and mud was annoying. On uphills it just made every step much harder and more annoying than it should have been. My ankle feels somewhat better now. I anticipate it being ready to go by the time we hike out of Erwin. Team Steve's here tonight with us again. Last night Treefingers and RambleOn got in late after doing a big day with a late start. That seems to be a trend with them. Will they roll in here tonight? Dunno. We got to Big Bald and that felt so good, Kaptain was in a great mood and he had a real easy day. Lockjaw was doing much better mentally than yesterday, I think. I was kind of having a rough day, but I wasn't too grumpy by the time we were all together again because I was up the bald and only one mostly-downhill mile away from the shelter. It was super windy and pretty cold up on the bald, as is the case here. Because of the elevation, I'm thinking tonight is not going to be mild like last night. Plus this shelter has like dividers between sleeping spots so there won't even be snuggling. Stupid. My feet got wet for the first time today. I guess I shouldn't complain, because the guys have all had soggy feet for ages now. My boots, although they weigh down my legs like shackles, keep my feet nice and dry and toasty. Today was one big, slushy mud puddle, though, and so wet feet it is. My hands are so filthy. I don't think I smell too too terrible considering it's day three out of town. Tomorrow a hot shower and food. Hip, hip, hurray! Sunshine and Lockjaw have books to read. I do not. I should find one, both to keep my brain from rotting and to have something to do. Kaptain and Slip n' Slide seem to be turning in for the night soon. It's 7:20 now, but they've been talking big about getting a super early start and doing the 16.9 we have tomorrow mostly in the morning. I hope to not get a late start, but I don't care about trying to be out of here by like 5 am. I have to shit. Again. The diet out here will do a number on your stomach, I tell you what, PB and Poptarts, nuts, and lots of dried fruit. One thing we were discussing the other day is the fact that there aren't really any lines that shouldn't be crossed between us anymore. Pretty much any topic of conversation is an option. Anybody can make fun of anybody for anything. There is nothing that isn't fair game between us. For the past 26 days it has been the exception to not be around them, not the rule. Most of the day I'm with Kaptain, Sunshine, or Lockjaw, and most often with two or all three of them. We found out today that Kurly and Swansons are now in Hot Springs. That's pretty far behind. Will they ever catch up? Hmmm. In Erwin, some friends of Sunshine are coming to hike with us, which I anticipate enjoying. Blis and Chunky are their names. Blis is one of the big reasons Sunshine started the trail last time. Blis and Chunky met on the trail. They're bringing their dog, Cassidy, which I'm pretty pumped about. I think it will be fun to hike with a dog for a few days. Should be fun. Lockjaw's hunkering down with his I-Pod now. I may go the bathroom and then follow suit. Okay, I guess I should go use the privy. It's now getting any lighter or warmer, so now's as good a time as any I guess. My feet will get cold and muddy and wet in my crocs. Sweet.