Date: 2004-04-27
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

I awoke to a beautiful sunny morning. As I was getting up and eating a fast breakfast Leki-less came by my tent to inform me that he was leaving. He spent a very uncomfortable, cold night and wanted to get moving. He was going all the way to Bland, VA to get a warm, dry hotel room. It was over 20 miles away, but I decided I needed to make up some miles and follow him. I packed up my stuff and said goodbye to Uncle Ben, Beavis, and Grass. They were not going to go all the way to Bland and were taking their time getting out. Flora, Fauna, Camel and the rest of the shelter residents had all left and I took a few minutes to gaze down at the beautiful view into the valley below. I watched the shadows of clouds, sailing like ships, drift across a green pastoral sea. The view of this small valley, dotted with farms, was spectacular. It was also, however, very freaking cold! The wind from last night had not stopped and still whipped across the open bald. So I took off and headed across the ridge that makes up one side of the picturesque valley below. I reached Jenkins Shelter after 10 miles to find Leki-less packing up to head back out after his lunch break. Flora & Fauna were there as well and told us that Little Wolf Creek was running so high, due to the recent rains, that southbound hikers were telling everyone to take the high water alternate route. We would have to cross this creek at least a dozen times. Tales of waist-deep crossings and strong currents were in the register and being told by southbounders. Leki-less and I however, elected to stay on our course past all the white blazes and left the blue blaze high water trail to the less daring. Leki left as I cooked one of my dinners to fuel up for the rest of this long day. After lunch I headed out to face Little Wolf Creek. As I was packing to go who should show up but Uncle Ben, Beavis, and Grass. Uncle Ben must have had them moving pretty fast to catch up. Flora and Fauna were only going to camp about 5 miles away on the other end of the high water trail and Grass thought that sounded good to her. So, as they discused where to end their day, I said goodbye and took off.After successfully navigating a few crossings I realized that the water levels, while still very high, were much lower than reported. (After talking with some hikers in Bland we found out that the levels were waist deep the day before.) I made it across all fords without getting water in my boots. Thank god for Gore-tex boots! I splashed across some deep spots but with my gaiters and quick steps was able to get across ok. When I reached the end of the stream crossings I caught up with Leki. It was getting late, about 6pm. We had a quick snack and hiked the remaining 7 miles in just over 2 hours. Leki was shocked that we were moving that fast. He just was not used to the Deaner Brother pace! We hit the road, hitched a ride and were at the hotel before dark.We met the Camera Crew and a couple of Leki's friends, Bloody Cactus and Zena, at the hotel and went across to the Dairy Queen for dinner & dessert. A nice end to a long day.