Date: 2015-08-18
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter/Campsite

To: Stealth Camping Just Above Whitewall Brook
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

I was up, packed, and ready to go by 7 so I could check the weather report before leaving the shelter area. The 2 ladies I helped had a good night in the shelter and looked much better. They thanked me again for helping them.I hiked the .2 miles from the shelter to the AT, which is also where the water supply for the shelter was located. Unfortunately the AT becomes extremely steep at that point, and the water supply, a stream, ran right down the middle of the trail. So ever so slowly I began to pick my way down the wet steep jumbled rock mess that is the AT. Then along came Josh and Cleo. They just hopped down the wet slippery rocks like they were nothing. I was clearly outdone by a guy in a skirt and a beagle!!I stopped at Galehead Hut to take a break, eat my breakfast, and dry out my wet rain fly. With no tree cover over the platform the rain fly was covered with dew. But the stars last night were amazing!! Usually there are too many trees or clouds to see the stars. I let the hut Croo know the 2 ladies who were supposed to stay last night were on their way. While at the hut I met a lovely young woman day hiking named Michelle. She and I hiked and talked from the hut to the side trail to Guyot Shelter. The trail was extremely easy and we were able to keep a running conversation going, which always makes the time pass faster. The trail gradually went uphill, suddenly opened up above treeline, and we were hiking on a long pile of rounded rocks, which was the trail. Sadly that is where,the trail split, and I had to say good bye to Michelle.The rocky trail went up and over the ridge, then ducked back into the trees and (thankfully) smoothed out. I was hoping to make it to Zealand hut and try for a work-for-stay. I thought I was making good time and would make it before dark. But occassionally there were some rocky sections that slowed me down. In addition the trail was not well marked and there were several intersections, so I needed to take my time and make sure I stayed on the AT.Just in case I ran out of energy and/or daylight I started to look for stealth camping sites. There were none. No flat spots, just wet or rocky spots. I realized the trail was getting steeper and rockier. It was time for me to stop for the night. I looked harder for a flat spot, with no luck. Suddenly up ahead I spotted smoke. A very young southbound thru hiker decided to cowboy camp (sleep in the open with no tent) right along the trail, and he built himself a little cowboy fire to cook his dinner. He invited me to share his little flat spot and fire. I thanked him, but told him I would look for a flat spot on the other side of the trail.It was near dark and I was ready to go to sleep. I thought I found a relatively flat spot, but when I set up my tent, it became clear it was not flat at all. My tent is free standing, so I picked it up and moved it several times, but I never could find a flat spot big enough for my tent. So I put it back in the original spot.Since the southbound cowboy camper cooked right where he was sleeping, I figured any bears in the area would be drawn to him rather than me. So I did not worry about hanging a bear bag. Instead I layed my stinky wet hiking clothes over the dry bag containing my food in the hopes of masking any food odors. I also skipped dinner to avoid creating my own food smells.When I got the inside of my tent set up it became abundantly clear the spot was not flat at all, but was instead a depression. I felt like I was trying to sleep in a giant soup bowl. I could not lay flat, and I could not lay on my stomach or back. I could barely curl up in the fetal position. It was going to be a long night. How many nights in a row now without a good nites sleep?The AT is calling. But I need some sleep first.