Date: 2008-07-03
From: Bald Mtn. Brook Shelter

To: Shaw's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 4am to be able to meet our friends before they started hiking at 7am. The trail is real muddy and wet. Worse than ever before along the trail. There is huge long and wide muddy puddles. No way around it. When it came time for forwarding (above knees), we decided to just go ahead and keep our shoes on while doing so. Our feet was already semi-wet and muddy. Besides, it will help us from worrying about keeping our feet dry for the rest of the trail and we can just hike instead of trying to dodge every step. I thought this was horrible...until we had to forward another river that was over our waiste with a fast pace current.At this time, it was only Stride, Norm, and myself. Luckly, there was a southbounder that crossed it just the other day and camped out right along the stream. We asked what was the best way to cross it. He pointed in the direction and said then go towards the island...from there, crossing is fine.I didn't think that it would be that bad, but I was still alittle nervous. Stride went in first. Norm and I was right behind her. I got half way across and tried my best to keep my balance. Stride and Norm made it to the island watching me along with the south bounder. I was white as a ghost. I yelled out saying "I can't do it, Norm. I can't do it." The current kept pushing my hiking pole down stream when I was trying to place it in a certain spot. I knew that if I try to take another step that I will fall right in. Sure enough, I did. I got swept down stream alittle ways. I was hanging on to two rocks while the water was gushing in my face. I looked up at everyone. All 3 of their faces had the same expression like mine...except they are probably not experiencing the feelings that I am experiencing. Norm yelled, "Hang on. I'll come get you" as he was taking off his pack. As I was saying "No, don't. You'll get swept away too", he was already in the water coming towards me. He pulled me back up on my feet like it was nothing. I don't know how he did that, but I am thankful. Once I got to the island, I realized that I still had my poles in my hand. I don't ever use my straps to keep them on my wrist. So, I don't know how I hung on to my life while still having ahold on my poles. I warned Hurricane as he was coming through. I yelled, "Be careful, Hurricane!!" As he was crossing, he yells back "What's horrible?" We both repeated the same thing once again. I didn't realize that he actually heard me the first time. LOL...Hurricane barely missed "all the action". He was disappointed after hearing what happen to me. All day they were making fun of me...kept repeating "I can't do it, Norm" in a red neck type of voice. I was laughing too, but they just truely don't understand what I went through. As we were taking a break on the other side of the stream, another fellow came by going south (weekender). I warned him how "bad" it was...for me anyways. He is an older retired (?) marine. He took ALONG time crossing the easy part...that my palms was beginning to sweat. All three of us was thinking that if he is having trouble in that area, that there is a possiblity that he may get swept down too. Surprisingly, yet thankfully he made it across safely and quicker than the other side of the island. WHAT A RELIEF! Has we hiked on, we followed the stream for miles and NOT ONCE did I see the current get any calmer. It was still moving the same pace as it was when I crossed it. If I did keep going down stream, where in the world would I be able to get out?Didn't have to hitch...kinda sad because it will be our last hitch. A truck was giving some SOBO's a ride into town and asked if we wanted to go to. Thanks!We stayed at Shaw's. The last town stop, shower, and resupply. We had all you can eat taco's across the street.