Date: 2008-03-23
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mnt. Shelter
Miles today: 21.3

We woke up at 8a to find a pack of instant potatoes and tuna in a pouch...Jim and John left it for us when they pulled out this morning--Thanks guys!!! I used the privy this morning and man was it small. The roof only covered my head while the rest of my body was hanging out! By 9a, we hit the trail. Within an hour and 10 minutes, we had reached Allen's Gap and didn't see the Trail Magic of Belgian Waffles, which we were told about. We did, however, stop to enjoy second breakfast, which helped us prepare for the 6 mile climb ahead. At mile 5-ish, we stopped for first lunch. We did, eventually, reach the top of the mountain. The climb up Camp Creek Bald was ferocious with it's unevenly paced wooden steps which North Carolina seems to love so much! When we got to the sside trail for the tower, we met 2 Section Hikers--Wingit and Stick--who were preparing for their upcoming CDT (Continental Divide Trail). It was kind of funny because Night Terror, Toddy Bear, Wingit, and Stick all had ULA packs. I've heard that these are the most popular packs on the trail, but I just now realized it! So, we continued walking through the "frost storm" which had just rolled in and I felt a Hot Spot forming on my left heel, but thought I would just continue because I've yet to get a blister. Soon, we reached a sign for the White Stack Cliffs. Toddy Bear, Night Terror and I took some pics, enjoyed the view and chatted! It's kind of neat because I am only 20 minutes from my house!!! Then, Other Jake came down and so did The Treat...This is the first time I've gotten the chance to meet him. Some time passed and we eventually began climbing "an Exposed Ridgeline," Rocky trail up to Fireclad Knob...Man was this rocky climb a bit rough--Foreshadowing NH?!? We stopped at the gap for a snack break and I realized that the Hot Spot has become a blister and it's now encompassing my entire heel (I can feel the "liquid" move around with each step I take). We pulled into the Jerry Cabin Shelter for a Pre-Dinner Snack and to check whether Green Blaze and Roses have passed through. Jim and John, who were bedded down for the night, told us that they hadn't seen them all morning, but we decided to press on because we had promised that we would meet them at Flint Mnt. As we pulled out, we were joined by The Treat, Dropkick--of the Here Here Gang--, and Other Jake. By this time, my left foot was killing me. Well, we walked along this nice and gentle road to the Shelton Graves and then continued to a gap. Night Terror pulled out his book and told me that we had another 0.8 mile climb up to the shelter. I wanted to quit...the blister now felt like it was under my arch too!!! We eventually saw the shelter and I was VERY happy. When I took my pack off, I noticed the Red Ranger nestled in, but no Green Blaze or Roses!! So, I put on my Crocs and fetched some water. Night Terror was thinking about snowing, but we convinced him otherwise because there is a 70% chance of snow tonight. When I got back to the shelter, The Treat, Dropkick, Other Jake and Chris and Lacey were all there. The Here Here Gang decided to push on all night, which would have given The Treat a 58 mile day. After dinner, we all snuggled in because the temperature is dropping quickly. I am currently limping, but I think I'll check my blister in the morning because I'm tired and my thermometer shows it being 36*. No Green Blaze and Roses as I'm getting ready for bed, but I'll either see them tomorrow or they'll roll in late tonight.