Date: 2010-04-01
From: Bly Gap, NC

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

North Carolina welcomes AT hikers with a significant climb out of Bly Gap. Although there are only 3 miles to the Muskrat Creek Shelter, they are hard miles. We stopped in that shelter for a nice break and an early lunch. The day was again sunny and warm. Very Warm. After our lunch break the trail had climbs and ascents. I felt like I really had to work at the ascents, even the ones that weren't very long or steep. But, I kept plugging away, and got to where I needed to be. Magnet was taking a bit of a break at Deep Gap when I arrived. He said I was more than 5 minutes behind him, but less than 10. So I guess I wasn't doing too badly. Just before we began our climb from Deep Gap up Standing Indian Mountain, we were approached by an ATC volunteer. We was taking trail related pictures for the conference, and needed some shots of hikers. We qualified as such, and obliged him. The Standing Indian Shelter is about 1 mile up the mountain. We stopped in for a nice break, and decided to have supper before hiking a bit further. I really enjoyed tonight's meal; mashed potatoes with bacon crumbles and jalapeno cheese. Yummy! The summit of Standing Indian is another mile and a half past the shelter. We thought it might be nice to camp at the summit, so after we ate, we got back on the trail. The climb was well graded, and I felt like I hiked better after supper than I had all day. Scattered throughout these mountains are large chunks of white quartz. During the ascent I approached what I thought was one of the rocks, only to discovery it was a patch of snow! It was really warm today, so it seemed kinda amazing that it hadn't melted. Oh well, maybe I'm just easily amazed. Ha! At the summit, the camping was to be found 0.2 miles down a side trail. We both were feeling pretty good, and somehow didn't want to be bothered with a side trail. We knew there was camping another 3 miles down the AT, so on we went. It was a pretty good hike, pretty much all downhill, but at a nice pitch. We kept up a nice pace and made camp just before 7. Camp chores were done and we were in our tent by 8. Good news today: my left quadriceps did NOT hurt ALL day! Yesterday I had a bit a discomfort along my right shin. It was still a little tender this morning, then cleared up by midday. By the end of our last descent it was again a bit sore. But not to the point to affect my gait. I think with some stretching, and vitamin I (Ibuprofen), it will be fine. I have also been dealing with a couple of open blisters on the back of my left heel. My blister treatment of choice has been Compeed coverings. I have been using these, but they begin to peel off by the end of each day. Ideally they would stay in place for a few days, and the open area would begin to heal. It hasn't been working out quite that well this time around, but I have been able to hike all day without ant pain from the blisters. Today we enjoyed the company of Too-Late, Too-Soon, Hercules, Kootza, Yatchzee, Whyo, Stretcher, and Tomato, to name a few. We began hiking around 9, and finished around 7. We are tired and sore, but pleased with the day, and I¢m happy with that. Be Well, Rock Star