Date: 2017-06-13
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter Tent Site 

To: Harpers Creek Shelter Tent Site
Miles today: 14.2

6/13Seeley-Woodworth Shelter Tent Site to Harpers Creek Shelter Tent Site 14.2 miles Total miles:  834.9I should have learned by now to never assume a day on the AT will be easy, because the trail can always show you a different way.  I woke up at 5:00 this morning but didn't stir until 5:45, since I knew I was only going a bit over fourteen miles today.  Still, I was on the trail by 7:30.  Within ten minutes of walking, I spied a doe grazing in the woods quite a ways from the trail. I stopped and watched her for several minutes.  If she was aware of my presence, she never let me know. I finally continued on up the steep but short climb to Spy Rock.  I had read that Spy Rock is a rock outcropping that requires intense climbing and a spotter is recommended for the way back down.  I decided to take the 0.1 mile side trail to at least look at the rock.  It is huge and formidable and, at least for me, not for climbing solo, if at all.  I was beginning my return to the trail when I came across Patch, who I haven't seen since the hostel in Bland.  As you may recall, Patch has a great deal of hiking experience on the AT in Virginia.  He told me of an alternate trail leading off to the left of Spy Rock that provides a way to the top from the backside.  I took the trail and was able to hike and climb my way to the top, although I ended up leaving my trekking poles behind to finish the climb using my hands and feet.  It was quite a view.  Upon beginning my return to the AT, I found my trekking poles without difficulty but got a bit confused concerning the return route.  I was able to work out a different route that brought me back to the face of the rock.  Back on the AT, I began the steep, rocky climb up Priest Mountain, or as it is commonly called, The Priest.  Just prior to the summit is a shelter where I stopped for water and to write in the shelter journal book.  All shelters have a journal.  In the days before cell phones, these journals played an important role in helping keep track of a hiker's progress.  In case of trouble, a hiker's location could be determined by checking the journals.  They are still a way to see when a friend passed through, and many hikers write witty and creative comments that are fun to read.  There is an AT tradition that hikers confess their trail sins by writing of them in the shelter journal at the Priest shelter.  As confessions are private, I can't go into detail about the trail sin to which I confessed except to assure everyone that no law was broken, no one was hurt, and that I did my very best to clean the handle of the privy shovel at that shelter back in the Smokies.  Stay tuned for www.everysheltershouldhaveaprivy.org.  Feeling much better after confessing my late night mishap, I began the arduous journey down the Priest.  Again, never assume the AT will let you have an easy day.  The descent trail is very steep and extremely rocky, the kind of trail that is most challenging for me.  The trail drops 3,093 feet over a course of 4.3 miles.  About half way down, I was treated to a magnificent view from a rock outcropping.  I paused and ate my lunch there, sitting under a tree to stay out of the bright, hot sun. I mentioned to Sweet Tea, a very nice thru hiker I met on the outcropping, that at least we didn't have to hike down the Priest in the rain.  He agreed, and I finished the descent without mishap, although I did slip several times on some loose rocks.  The AT then crosses the Tye River on another suspension bridge.  I met a pair of southbounders who asked me about trail conditions they would encounter hiking up the trail I had just finished descending.  I was giving them my honest appraisal when Sweet Tea happened by.  I asked him if he had anything to add.  He scratched his head and replied, "Well, there is a lot of up."I crossed the suspension bridge (they never get old) and began my final three miles of the day to Harpers Creek Shelter.  A few minutes into my final climb of the day, I began to here pattering amongst the leaves.  Within a few minutes, it begins to rain, hard.  I quickly took off my pack and added my pack cover.  I did not bother putting on my rain jacket since I was already sweat soaked from today's hike.  The thunder and lightening show began next as I continued on.  The storm certainly cooled things down and helped invigorate this hiker who was feeling pretty worn out prior to this unexpected change in weather.  So much for my plan of a leisurely stroll into camp this evening.  I got to the tent area at 5:00, set my tent up in the rain (keeping my equipment if not exactly dry, then at least only damp), and went for water at the creek in front of the shelter building.  The thunder and lightening, but not the rain, having ended by this time.  The rain did slow soon after, and by the time I was setting up my stove, had stopped altogether.  Gravity arrived about this time and was able to set up his camp in the not-rain.  Sometimes being last isn't a bad thing, although there was, of course, no way of knowing the rain would stop when it did.  On a positive note, the rain really cooled things off this evening and dispersed the gnats that had been my constant companions for much of the day.  My wet clothes are in my plastic bag ready to be worn tomorrow (if it's raining they are wet anyway, and if it's not, wearing them is the quickest way of drying them), my equipment is in fine shape (if a bit damp), and I am warm and cozy in my sleeping bag.  Tomorrow promises to be an easy day (but I won't jinx anything by mentioning it!), and Gravity and I plan on spending the afternoon, evening, and night at the Devil's Backbone Brewery. They provide free camping for hikers as well as serving lunch, dinner, and breakfast (breakfast is for hikers only). They also happen to be well known for their beer.  Time to go back to sleep and get rested up for another day of whatever the AT decides to come up with for me tomorrow.