Date: 2015-04-11
From: Fontana Dam Shelter 

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up at 5 and was on the trail at 6:00. I try to stretch twice a day, in the morning and before bed to prevent injury and make hiking easier. I get my stuff together as quietly as possible and head to the restroom. I camel up on a bottle of water as I know that it is 11 miles to the first shelter and it is uphill pretty much all of the way. I love being the first person on the trail in spite of the spider webs barring the way. I end up using my hiking pole to clear the spider webs. It is cool outside, although I soon warm up as I hiked. I usually play my ipod with the speaker on in the dark, to alert the "bears" of my presence until it is light out, then I will put my headphones in but at a volume that I can still hear what's going on around me. Bands like 3rd day lift my spirits and I can really get moving if I throw on some P.O.D or Linkin park. I feel that Howard Shore's soundtracks from the Lord of the Rings and Enya (which is on his soundtracks) are perfect soundtracks to the trail. I go from hiking the Appalachian Trail to a mystical journey in Middle Earth and I go from watching out for bears to keeping a wary eye out for orcs and trolls! The music is inspiring and majestic. I stopped and sat at the stone throne, feeling like a majestic and regal thru-hiking legend (in my own mind) admired the view. It was foggy as later on so I bypassed the Shuckstack Fire tower as I had climbed it in '13. I intended to stop at the Mollies Ridge shelter for the day but as it was early, and I had plenty of energy, I only stopped for lunch. I changed things up and ate my Chicken pack, olive oil and Knorr side dish (my big meal for the day) early as I was ravenous and saved some trail mix and fruit snacks for dinner. I then pressed on the few miles to the Russel Field shelter taking my time to get there. I claimed a spot in the shelter and got set up and then got a fire started in the fireplace, which everyone appreciated. One of the hikers took me behind the shelter and showed me how to identify and dig ramps, which are like radishes. I got to try one and they are very tasty and remind me somewhat of garlic. I even did some back adjustments on some sore hikers who were very grateful! There were more snap-crackles and pops than a box of Rice Crispies! I learned how to do adjustments from my Tai-Quon-Doe instructor so we could help each other out when we would get something out of line when praticeing. Cheol Wi was a very patient teacher from North Korea and while he was younger was very wise for his years and taught me a great deal. I made a medallion that I wear to honor him as my teacher. It was a gueling day and my back said I couldn't go the extra 3 miles to the next shelter although I had enough umph to make it past the Mollies Ridge so I felt good about the Miles for the day. Since there wasn't a privy I had to do my business in the woods. I came up with a method where I find a log in a good position to sit on. I then sit at the very edge and front of it after digging a cat hole, do my business, then cover it up and sanitize my hands. I've tried other methods but that one works out best for me.(I know, I know WTMI!) Someone offered a safety break and I accepted while we sat around the campfire. I then ate my dinner and was soon was in bed, pain free and listening to the iPod before sleep.