Date: 2007-03-31
From: Hiker Inn, Fontana Dam, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

All night long I dreamt about slack-packing (that's where you hike with day packand get a shuttle back to the inn or hostel). I was terribly worried aboutbeing in pain today, so when I woke up and realized it still might be an option,I was delighted. But I quickly got over the idea, and got packed up for theshuttle back to Fontana Dam and the trail. Because I'd had such problems withmy feet 2 days ago, I got inserts for my boots at the drug store during our tripto town yesterday. But they weren't supportive enough, so I improvised. Itook toilet paper, folded it to make a wad, and duct taped it to the bottom ofthe insert. I then put the whole thing under the boot liner and voila! Orthotics! I had to shift them a bit in the boot to just to right spot so I hadsufficient pressure on my instep, but they worked great all day! My feet aretired tonight, but not the pain I was in before. Looks like I fixed it!We hiked across Fontana Dam today...it's on the AT! That is a massive dam, andit felt good to hike somewhere besides in the woods...but that only lasted for1/2 mile. We had a 3-4 mile climb to get above the dam and up into the Smokies,but it was well graded and not at all like the scramble from the NOC. When your hiking with so much the dsame every day, day after day, you begin tonotice subtle changes. These woods seemed diiferent than the Nantahalas, but Idon't know exactly what the difference was...different spacing of the trees,more open in the Smokies...different shapes, less rolling in the Smokies, just alonger climb up whereas the Nantahalas were pointy mountains. I felt justfabulous hiking today...exhilarated in fact! The sun was warm and bright, butit was breezy and not too hot. My feet felt great. The climb was doable. Allthings were working well until nI miss read the map and ran out of water! Thatis not fun! I was begging for sips from other hikers and then along came Diamondwith plenty extra! A little later, Willing came back with extra water for Abaland me from a spring a couple of miles down the trail...what a sweetheart thatguy is! And he's kindly accepting of caring for two women! Oh, and did Imention another reason I ran out of water?! ...my platypus leaked! I was pleased with one of my packing designs in casethat happened...I place my water bladder outside of my pack liner so if itshould leak, it would not get my gear wet...and it worked!But the last mile up to the shelter was just more than Abal and I couldtake...we were really dragging when we showed up at 6! And in the Smokies youhave to stay in the shelter to reduce the impact on the land. Not good newstonight because we have Thunder bunked with us, and you can guess where he gothis name! I've only heard how bad it can get with him nearby, so I'm a bitapprehensive about how I'll sleep tonight.To imagine life in a shelter, visualize two rows of wood planks with about 4 ftdepth and every one lines up their sleeping mats and bags either head or feetfacing out. (Do you want the bear to nibble on your head or feet? Me, I have myhead out...too claustrophobic!)Lessons learned today:1. Miles are longer in the woods.2. Miles are longer late in the day.3. Miles are longest in the woods late in the day!Well it's almost 9 and time for lights out! We've got another 12 miles totomorrow night's shelter. Step lightly