Date: 2012-03-28
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Winding Stairs Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I woke up just before daybreak and felt rested. I did have a good nights sleep. I was awakened one time during the night by a hiker in the shelter who was up putting on a heavy coat, hat, and gloves. At first I thought he was getting ready to pack up and leave, but I heard him whisper to himself "damn its cold ". He then got back into his sleeping bag. His statement surprised me, because I was sleeping in a T-shirt and was too warm. I was not even in my bag. I was using it as blanket so I would not get too hot and start sweating. I don't know what the temperature was, but I think maybe in the forties. My bag is rated at only 32degrees, but is a very good down bag, very light, but warm.Later when he got up still wearing all the winter items I asked him if he was cold. He said yes he was. He said his bag was rated at 25 degrees, but it was a cheap bag and does not keep him warm. When he took off the heavy coat I saw that he was wearing long underwear, top and bottom. I'm not sure but I think he just dressed too warmly when he went to be and his body was moist all night causing him to be cold.Today I'm not in any hurry. I only have nine miles to go today. I will be picked up by my shuttle at Winding Stairs Gap and I'm going into Franklin to get my truck and I've got to go home for a few days. From talking to the other hikers in camp they also are planning on going into Franklin. Some to restock and return to the trail; others to stay off trail for a day or two to get some rest and good food, and then back to the trail. The other campers all left a short time later and I took my time packing. I ate and just stayed around the shelter and surrounding area for a while just listening to the birds, the wind and just enjoying being there all alone. Being in the wilderness all alone is maybe unlike anything one ever does. You have a very keen sense of every sound, every movement, every smell, etc. and at night all are even more enhanced.I started north and the woods were quiet, and beautful. About five miles up trail I came to another shelter. This shelter was close to a gravel forest service road. This area around the shelter had been chosen by an eighth grade class to study water quality in the area. They had put a bulletin board at the shelter with all their test results. It was interesting and I took time to look at and read all of them. They had placed all the information there for others to read, and even though they would never know it, reading all the information was my way of saying thanks, you have done a good job.What I remember most about this shelter though was what someone had written on a shelter wall: She can paint a lovely picture but this story has a twist. Her paint brush is a razor and her canvas is her wrist - Annonymous Here I stand enjoying life and everything around me, and then I see this. I could not help but to think that someone at the time of the writing was not enjoying life and everything around them, but was in great pain. I can only hope that the pain passed, and life was restored to joy and happieness.North, I must now go; I have a shuttle to catch four miles away.