Date: 2010-05-05
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was a tough day and by the time I rolled into camp I didn't feel like I could hike another mile.I started out this morning with sore feet once again and a tough day ahead of me. The first fews miles this morning despite being either flat or downhill were difficult with my feet. Despite being so easy I hardly made two miles an hour pretty much tip toeing my way down. I knew the only way to make my feet happier would be to slow down on the downhills and with the way my feet felt today, that was no problem! Nemphis had to help me carry Kelly over a stile this morning since there was no way for her to go under or around. We used the handle on her dog pack, I don't think she was too impressed.When I hit the first climb of the day I was almost relieved, until I realized it went straight up the mountain and over 1300 feet up! I just remind myself that I love the AT and it's all better Fortunately it was still fairly early so the temperature was still mild despite another forecast for the mid eighties. We have been so lucky with the weather, it felt very hot at first but now it isn't nearly as muggy and i've been enjoying the mid-eighties temps. We finally made our way to the top of the mountain and at the top we ended up doing a lot of ridgeline walking. The ridgeline had some wonderful views although the exposed rocks we walked on were quite hot and once again I was dangerously low on water. I found a lovely view point to stop for lunch, poured Kelly most of what I had left for water and moved on. I was so relieved when I hit a nice cold spring after we had finally begun our descent. The water was coming straight from the mountain so Kelly and I both got our fill and I refilled my platypus and we headed to the next shelter.I didn't stop for too long at the shelter since I had already eaten, besides, there was a creek down the trail and it just might be suitable for swimming! As I was headed down I met a section hiker headed south bound with a dog, Lefty was her name and Puddin' was her dog. She had heard that I was into horses so we talked for a bit, she warned me of a stile tomrorow going over an electric fence, and we both went our ways.I was very happy when I reached the creek, it was indeed large enough to "swim" in, or atleast enough to get completely wet just in time for another 1300+ foot climb which I was so thankful for! The climb was rough once again, but I really didn't feel too hot until I was around a half mile to the top. Despite hating all the large climbs the last few weeks, I am starting to feel myself getting stronger and climbing faster. My feet don't hurt when I climb so it isn't all that bad although sometimes I wish the climbs weren't so long! We also had a hike along the mountain top and I ran out of water again! I have upped my water consumption so much lately that I just can't figure out how much to bring. Fortunately there was a pond at the top for Kelly, but i'm out of treatment tablets and definetely wasn't going to drink out of that!Depite having plans of going to the shelter I ended up staying a mile before it. Turns out the shelter was a half mile off the trail and when I got to the campsite the Traveling Circus and Red Ranger were already there with a fire going and there was a lovely creek running nearby. Today had been a tough day, I felt like I had never done a 20 mile day before and feel pretty beat up but tomorrow we hit Dragon's Tooth, a spectacular rock jutting out of the mountain (yes, some rocks are spectacular!) with an excellent view. I'll also be hiking to Catawba where i'll be picking up a resupply package.