Date: 2004-03-23
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter's Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 103.23.0411:30am52deg.Absolutely gorgeous day. I¢m sitting here at the summit of Standing Indian, in a patch of green grass, surrounded by endless blue skies, undisturbed by even a hint of white clouds. Hard to believe this morning was so cold. 36deg. in my tent @ 6:30, 19deg. outside. Brrr¢¦ Although I actually slept better last night that the night before. That was my first night in a shelter, and possibly the last. I¢m too light a sleeper, I think. Plus, it was bloody cold. I was burrowed a foot down into my sleeping bag, ear warmers on, shivering, tossing and turning in my fleece liner. (I don¢t think my bag can be rated to 25deg. anymore. I wasn¢t cold, but that¢s b/c the liner helped so much. I wouldn¢t have made it comfortably w/o it.) The snoring and constant rustling 15 people make kept me up all night. At least last night I snatched a few hours of z¢s. I was gonna try and push on another 16 miles today, but my body ain¢t having none of that. Don¢t think I¢ll make it to Franklin ¢til Thurs. morning, but that¢s ok. I¢m halfway to Carter Gap already, so it¢ll be a nice, easy day. Plus, I¢ve already summitted the mountain of the day. Tomorrow¢s Albert, and the firetower. If I¢m feeling really good, then I may push to get to Franklin tomorrow, but that¢ll be 16 miles. If not, it¢ll be a really short (<4 mile) hike on Thurs. Well, the trail¢s calling me. More tonight¢¦5:15pmGot into Carter¢s Gap just before 3. Happy and Dutch had their tent set up, just before the shelter. But, I noticed Wingfoot said the shelter was on the left, not the right. A little looking, and we found a new shelter. Only other person here is Just Do It, and he¢s the only one not tenting tonight. Don¢t know where Ted and Heather are. I felt pretty good, probably could have pushed on to Betty¢s Gap (another 3 12 miles), but I¢m sure I¢ll be thankful I didn¢t in the morning. Probably won¢t get to Franklin ¢til Thurs., which is fine. Just gives me another day to dream about the hot shower and comfy bed. Sittin¢ by the campfire right now. Just Do It¢s the pyrotechnic wiz. Makes the whole experience that much more real. Still think I¢ll try and get an early start tomorrow. It¢s nice to finish up your day by 3pm. Gives you time to lounge about camp, not rushing dinner. Still no real appetite. Made up Zatarain¢s last night. Couldn¢t finish, so had leftovers (cold) for breakfast. Cold dinner tonight too, just some cheese and 2 granola bars. Hope my hunger kicks in. I know I need food, just don¢t want the bother. ¢Course, when it does hit, I¢ll probably be upset by how much food I¢ll have to carry. Catch-22. Was thinking about the folks back at WACC today. Wondering if Chris is back in town, getting ready for PEFO. If GRCA is actually happening. Not really feeling at all envious. Too many remarkable things I¢ve seen in the last 10 days. One thing I¢ve noticed about thru-hikers is that there¢s almost an instantaneous familiarity about them, as if, when you first meet, you already know them. So many faces I seem to recognize. Some of that may be due to trailjournals, but not all. There¢s just a camaraderie out here on the trail. Like you know somebody¢s watching your back, that if anything goes wrong, any number of people¢ll step up and help you through. Even a complete stranger. Makes me laugh a little at all the fears everyone had about me hiking ¢on my own.¢ Sure, I haven¢t found my group yet, but the folks I¢ve hiked w/ have been unparalleled company. And not being w/ one limited group, I¢ve had the opportunity to spend time w/ so many. Hope to catch the sunset tonight. Shouldn¢t have to be tucked away b/c of the cold.