Date: 2007-03-25
From: 1st Campsite in N.C.

To: Stealth campsite before Standing Indian Shelter, N
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Last night was awsome! I don't think it dropped below 58 degrees. I added myccf pad at the last minute, but probably would have been fine without it, as Iwoke up with a very sweaty back. I used my sleeping bag as a quilt too, andafter I went to sleep, I don't hink I moved all night. I didn't wake untilNicole starting moving around 7:00 a.m. I was up at 7:30 and we were starting our first full day in NC. By the way, nowthat we are out of GA, Wildcat Mt. gets my vote for the hardest mt. to climb,and Blue Mt. the hardest terrain due to all of the rocks. Today, NC welcomed us with 2 VERY grueling climbs up and over Sharp Top andCourthouse Bald (which wasn't a bald where the trail took us). Man did thoseclimbs kick my butt! Let's all do an exercise...pull your toes\feet as far up towards your chins asthey will go..further...further..now hold it there. Now take some sort of ropeand force them even further. That was what the incline was like this morning! LOL My calves were saying very mean things to me.I'm finding I don't seem to get my flow until afternoon. I hated mornings inthe "real world" and apparently I do out here too. We took pics of the infamous tree just inside the NC border as well. It was justup from our campsite. Then I turned and took in a stunning view of themountains. It actually brought tears to my eyes for some reason. It was sobeautiful. (I've felt a bit emotional today, all day).It was in the 80's AGAIN! Man the heat zaps your energy. Thank goodness forall of the rhodadundren tunnels, which provided shade. I sucked thru 1 liter ofwater in less than 2 miles this morning (I ama heavy drinker though, of waterthat is!)We finally got to Muskrat Creek Shelter for lunch and enjoyed a greatconversation with Sailor, Hangman, The Breadless Horseman (who can't eat anygrains), Aaron, Blue Sky and his dog Blue. We must have sat there for almost 2hrs. It was nice.Then it was time for me to use the privy at this shelter. I have one word forit. SCARY! It isn't as well made as the ones in GA, and when I lifted the lid(which then proceeded to fall off) all I heard was loud buzzing and big bugsflying out of the hole. I took off running, thinking they were bees (I havebeen chased by a swarm of bees, so I'm a little sensitive LOL). Then I lookedback and saw it was just flies (I know, still gross, but hey, I am in nature'sterritory now). It was still hilarious though.The gnats were out in full force today. A few days back, I was apparentlyhiking with one in my eye and didn't realize it till I asked Nicole about it. The look of disgust gave it away. LOLWe finally left the shelter, and I had that stupid song Muskrat Love stuck in myhead now (due to the shelter being named Muskrat Creek shelter). We kept plugging along, and my legs seemed to be moving in slow motion. Nicoleand I both agree that the food we most miss right now is sushi! We were almostover the last mt. and were headed into Deep Gap, and Nicole asks me if I thoughtthere would be sushi at the bottom. I replied with my normal confident answerof yes, and then we both died laughing.We got to Deep Gap and alas, no sushi, but Hangman was there doing cool trickswith this crystal ball. We hiked with him some today, and he is a really coolguy. I like his company.As we were resting before our last push to camp, Eric showed up and thishilarious guy named Dirty Ernie. He is hiking the AT with ALL antique gear fromthe 60's. His pack is bright orange, external frame and HUGE. He has an oldfashioned pup-tent, and this radio you crank a handle on to provide power to. Best of all, he picked up one of my hiking socks that apparently fell off theback of my pack! I had it safety pinned, to dry after I washed it downstreamthe nite before. Lucky me and nice of him to pick it up.We finally got up to hike the last .9 miles up to Standing Indian Shelter. PoorNicole was dragging. We were talking about the fact that a lot of people weregoing to be there, and we would like to find something less crowded. Well, a few minutes later, and probably only .1 miles from the shelter was thisgreat little spot next to a stream!   It took us about 2 seconds to decide tostay here. No one else was there, and only Sailor showed up later.The stream was great. I went down a bit and gave myself a bandana bath with thecool water. Man did that feel GOOD! My feet were knumb the water was so cold. We finally built a fire, which was no easy task for some reason. Nicole burneda small hole in her fleece coat and was pouting all evening. She was having arough nite, her food was gross too, and that is the worst out here. We hung ourfood and here I sit by the stream typing this.There was a warning that there was bear activity in the area, so maybe tomorrowI'll get to see one. It is about 9:30 p.m., I am pooped and it is 59 degrees with a slight breeze. Gonna go wash off my feet and hit the sack.         ~Certain