Date: 2021-06-07
From: Helveys Mill Shelter 

To: Tentsite at MM 616.0
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

June 7 - Helveys Mill Shelter to Tentsite at MM 616.0 - 22.0 miles (507.9 trip miles) - 48476 steps It sure was nice not to have to go down that hill this morning to get water. And I was able to properly dispose of my trash. I was up early as usual. Had 2 oatmeal packets and packed up. Boston Bill was ready before me so he headed out. I never did see him again today. I was hiking by 650. The elevation grade looked very favorable today and it turned out the profile was right. No large ups or downs and just a few rocky areas. BB and I talked about getting to Dismal Creek where there were some tent sites. I was rolling along at a good clip but my middle back was hurting, as it has for 2 weeks now. I think it started with the ZPacks pack bending to the sides instead of how it was supposed to. I was out of balance which strained by back. I had hoped the new pack would solve it. It helped for a few days but today was really painful. I know what it needs; a week with no pack. It doesn¢t hurt at all with the pack off. Unfortunately that isn¢t going to happen when hiking or backpacking. Unless I get a miracle cure tomorrow, I think I will end my hike in Pearisburg. I told myself if I wasn¢t having fun I would stop and today wasn¢t fun when it should have been. I¢ll see how tomorrow goes then decide what to do. Enough whining. I got to the first shelter about 1030 and wanted to eat. The trail to the shelter was downhill and I did not want to have to climb it when done. I continued on another mile to a road and ate there. I suspect BB was at the shelter, that¢s why I never saw him today. After lunch there were just a couple of easy climbs then a long stretch of flat to get to the tentsite. Even on flat ground I had to keep stopping to stretch my back. On the way I passed the 500 miles hiked mark. No views at all today. Then out of nowhere, the unthinkable happened. For 33 previous days this hasn¢t happened to me. It rained! Pretty hard thunderstorm for a few of the 30 minutes it rained. I already had the pack cover on. I got under a tree and got my rain jacket on and just waited it out. When it slowed down I threw on the pack and kept going. I got to camp about 515. Great time with all the stops, stretching, and breaks for 22 miles. I got a text message from BB saying he bailed out and went to Weary Feet Hostel. I think he made the right choice. I think Goob was trying to get there as well. Also, I saw a lot of deer today. Certainly more deer than views. It¢s now 730 and it is dripping on the tent. I had just enough time to cook up some noodles and eat a protein bar before more rain came in. I had to eat in my tent; a real no no when it comes to keeping bears away. I was very careful not to spill anything. There¢s some thunder in the distance but none in the valley I am in. I was hearing something large on the other side of the creek and investigated. More deer. Now owls are hooting. Tomorrow we are going to Woods Hole Shelter. It¢s sort of a hippie type place where everything is grown on the property, there¢s afternoon yoga, and lots of animals running around. My trail guide said they offer massages but the response I got from the owner is not at this time. Probably a COVID thing. I thought a massage might be what my back needs. I¢ll end this entry to the pitter-patter of rain drips on the tent. One other first just occurred to me; this appears like it will be the first night I am camped alone. Until tomorrow.