Date: 2006-05-23
From: WarSpur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Two late arrivals last night, and word of someone hiking without food, water, or proper gear. Supposedly he is in jeans and a cotton tea shirt, carries an army rucksack, and has barely any gear. He asked whoever was awake in the shelter if they had extra food. Mystic gave him a cliff bar, which he ate and then threw the wrapper on the ground next to the fire pit.I left around 830am, with a 1500ft uphill to start the day. I saw mystic and goldfish at a trail magic cooler near the top, and there is nothing like 2 grape sodas after a nice climb. Only 2.5 miles to the shelter from the top of the uphill, with a vista at whiterock along the way. I found an empty grape soda can just off the trail, which surprised me. I wouldnt have thought any of us would have done that.I ran into mystic again at the vista, and we left for the shelter after snapping a few pics. I passed brains and brawn on the way, and we all shared some snacks at the shelter. I asked everyone about the empty soda can I found along the trail, and mystic reminded me of the guy who he gave the cliff bar to. Supposedly he asked brains and brawn for food also.At a road crossing before the keffer oak, I saw outbreak for the first time since hot springs, nc. His other half, morning fit, had left the trail with plans to possibly return. Its crazy running into people that you havent seen in a while.I saw a water snake on the way to the keffer oak. The keffer oak was impressive, 300yrs old and 18ft around. Just after the oak was a climb that ended up being harder than I thought it would be. I climbed 900ft in less than one mile, but luckily I wasnt in the hot pastures anymore. It was quite pleasant on the ridge.I passed the sarver hollow shelter, and saw 2 empty soda cans. The only explanation I could come up with was the guy with no food. He must have taken a bunch of sodas from the trail magic cooler, and doesnt know any better than to litter.The ridge walk before niday shelter was beautiful. I couldnt make good time due to the slope of the ridge. It pitched hard to the right, which helped me not roll my ankle. Another day with no rolls.I passed joe walsh on my way to the shelter. I asked him about the guy throwing soda cans around and he said he should be just ahead. Part of me wanted to confront him on it, but Id wait till I see what kind of character I was dealing with.When I finally caught him, I decided to just push on. He was very weak and fraile looking, and responded to my "hey how are ya" with mumbles while staring at the ground. I was happy to see others at the shelter when I arrived: mystic, rusch hour, and baldy locks. I told them all that he was just behind me.He showed up looking like he was going to stay, but after getting another snack off mystic and leaving the trash in the shelter, he left. Mystic seems to be able to get the most words out of him, which is good because he kinda gives me the creeps. Daniel is his name, and if he had a trailname he said it would be mr. blueskies. I hope he comes up with a better plan when it comes to eating, cause bumming off thruhikers wont last long. He should also plan on carrying more water than the 16oz canteen he currently has. He could get into serious trouble out here.