Date: 2013-06-17
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Hughes Gap
Miles today: 3.1

Yesterday evening was very enjoyable. We had a great fire, more for the cheeriness of it than for the warmth, because the temperature was very pleasant. I had a good conversation with Darrell and David and it was like old times on the trail. We were joined by another section hiker, a pleasant young law student named Ross. Soon it was 9 PM--hiker midnight-- getting dark, the fire was going out, and it was time for bed. I was the only one sleeping in the shelter, the three guys chose to set up their tents. As soon as I was alone in the shelter in the dark, the imagination kicked in again. I jumped and snapped my head lamp on at every sound. I was sure that a herd of mice was going to come along and try to nest in my hair, then a big snake was going to come to eat the mice, all while some previously undiscovered forest creatures (bigfoot maybe?) were making their stealthy way through the wide open front of the shelter. I knew I was being ridiculous, but knowing it doesn't change it. And, I had forgotten how hard the floor of a shelter is, and how little padding my pad provides. Without the layers of winter apparel and bedding, I felt very vulnerable. Needless to say, I wasn't sleeping well when guess what started? Rain, of course! I really should hire myself out as a rainmaker. But, I was glad to be in the shelter although my hammock handles rain very well, I wouldn't have to deal with packing up a wet tarp in the morning. The rain also soothed my fears a bit. In my imaginary scary world, the scary creatures don't get out in the rain. Between the hard floor and the intermittent fears and rain, I didn't sleep well, but I did doze off and on all night. Once I woke up to the light of a dim head lamp, and saw that Ross had brought his wet tent and moved into the shelter, and was settling in for the night. I was glad later to know it was him when in the pitch darkness I heard loud snoring from across the shelter! Can you imagine if I hadn't woken up to see him move in, and just heard the snoring?? I would have thought there was a bear in the shelter with me!The dominant theme of yesterday and last night was fear and vulnerability. Where is all that coming from? I didn't feel like this when I hiked before, at least not to this extent. I think I just need to keep hiking and give myself time.I got a late start out of the shelter this morning because of the still drizzling rain. My plan was to walk 9.5 miles to the shelter at the top of Roan Mountain. I've heard many comments about how beautiful this section of the trail is, so I was looking forward to it, even though the 4.5 mile ascent of Roan Mountain is said to be long and steep. I was going along quite well until I got to Hughes Gap and the sky just opened up. Rain had been threatening all morning, now here it came, with a vengeance. Within minutes my rain jacket called uncle, and I was soaked to the skin. I had the pack cover over my backpack but I could feel it becoming heavier by the minute. I got my tarp out of the pack and threw it over me as I tried to decide what to do. I was 4.5 miles from the shelter, up a trail that was even now turning into a running stream. And I was at a road crossing, a good paved road, which offered...escape, to a real roof with four walls, a warm shower, a way to dry my clothes, and a soft bed. I waited to see if the rain was slacking off, and a trail runner came down the mountain. He said it was raining even harder up at the summit and the trail was muddy and slick. That did it, I caved, and called Connie. I'm back here at Greasy Creek Friendly again, for my third stay. It's like there's a magnet here that keeps pulling me back. Forecast is for more rain tomorrow. Let's hope for a sunny day!