Date: 2017-03-18
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained hard all night last night but I was in a shelter and it didn't bother me at all. As a matter of fact, it might have been the best night sleep I've had on the trail so far. The rain on the tin roof drowned out all the noises from the other hikers in the shelter--no creaking air mattresses, no sleeping bag zippers, and no snoring!I woke up at 5:30 am but the rain was still coming down hard. So, I rolled over and slept tell 7:30. I'd like to say the "trail beckoned" but actually "nature called" is probably closer to the truth.My shoes and socks were still wet from yesterday but it wouldn't have mattered. The trail was literally awash from the rain and melting snow. In some places, I'm sure it was at least four inches deep and flowing like a river. I felt like a salmon swimming upstream. By 11:00, the rain had ended and the sun started to peek through the clouds. For about two hours it warmed enough to strip down to my t-shirt. But by 2:00, the clouds were back and it started to sleet and rain. The rest of the day jumped back and forth between sunshine and clouds but it never warmed back up.Tonight, I'm bedded down at the Icewater Spring Shelter, only about half the distance I wanted to go today. But, my feet have been wet for two days and were beginning to get sore. I think stopping early and giving my feet a chance to dry will do me better in the long run. Now, I just have to watch my food supply. I might go hungry for a day before I can resupply at Standing Bear. About 1/10 of a mile from the shelter, I slipped and fell. After days of walking on snow and ice, I tripped over a root. I face-planted right in the middle of the trail in about 3 inches of water. Luckily, I wasn't hurt, but I couldn't wait to get to the shelter and into my dry night clothes. Remember, everyone on the trail thinks they are an expert hiker (even me), so take all the advice with a grain of salt. Figure out what works best for you and then modify it as conditions change. But three things I have learned: 1. Start out cold/cool when you go to bed at night. If you put on enough to be warm when you first crawl in, as your bed heats up, you might begin to perspire. As the temperature continues to drop, the sweat will get cold and your night can become miserable. Instead of wearing your coat to bed, have it nearby, you can always put it on later, if needed. 2. Start your hike cold in the mornings. You will warm up quickly as you hike. Otherwise, you find yourself stopping and removing clothing within the first half mile. This usually means removing and then donning your pack. 3. Try to pick clothing you can easily ventilate. Some jackets have armpit zips, they work great. I wear a buff (a tube of cloth) that can be worn in many different ways. Get one, they're fantastic. I start out with it covering my neck, head, and my lower face. As I warm up, I pull it from my face and then off my head, and finally just stuff it in my pocket. Gloves come off and on as needed. The trick is to try not to perspire.I've been told by a trail runner (basically a person paid to walk a section of the trail and monitor conditions) that by this point, almost 50% of the hikers who started in Georgia have quit. So far, for me, the hardest six inches of the journey have been the six inches between my ears. I just have to keep telling myself I can do this...and I can.Tonight, I'm safe, dry and warm, and living out a dream! Goodnight from the Appalachian Trail.