Date: 2003-05-05
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Day 53 Avg Mls/Day 12.4Weather: Cold, dreary, foggy,, rainy, drizzley... High temp did not feel like it got above 50.The front moved in overnight and we awoke at daybreak to a cold drizzley, breezy day. Charlie and I awoke at the same time. He said, "I'm not going out in this" and went back to sleep. I couldn't bring myself to get out of my cozy warm sleeping bag either. The only other person in the shelter, Mike, wasn't moving. The guys tenting out back weren't going anywhere. About 8, Charlie and I talked about what to do. He was thinking hypothermia...I didn't think it was that bad. I packed up to take off and he folowed. We didn't get started until just before 9...the latest I can remember.It really wasn't so bad once I got warmed up. I was wearing my schoeller pants, stretch top and parka. It wasn't long before I was just too warm, and shed the stretch top. A little later, I unzipped the vent zippers the length of each arm. That seemed to work well and I was quite comfortable as long as I didn't stop for too long. Once I stopped walking I got chilled. Today was a hike day, the kind of day when scenic views or lookout points didn't matter. All you wanted to do was hike some miles. The terrain wasn't all that great either...plenty of rocks. After reaching Wind Rock (4,100') the Trail dropped down to War Spur Shelter where I met two guys, Red and Blue, just finishing lunch. Another couple, Rebecca and Jason were also stopped for lunch. Charlie, who had been behind me most of the morning, came in about 15 minutes after me. After lunch Charlie and I took off and hiked together the rest of the day. It was a long climb up to Rocky Gap. At one point, just before we crossed the road, there were 2 coolers on the side of the Trail. One had a can of orange soda which Charlie and I split. Charlie looked through the other cooler (which appeared to be nothing but empties) and found several full cans so we had a cola. It sure tasted good, even in the cold weather. The person leaving the "trail magic" was Super Dave. Thanks Super Dave! I got you're email address and am sending a personal thank you. He also left water which I used to refill my platypus hydrator. He also left a camera and asked thru-hikers to take their pictures. Charlie and I took each other's picture and moved on.Not long after that we passed a nice young man hiking SOBO to Springer. His trailname is Wanderer and he started from New York state; I believe he said in February. He was interesting in that he had hiked a bunch of side trails from near his home to get to the AT. He had some bad news...he just came from Four Pines Hostel and the only restaurant next door is not open on Wednesday...when I get there. Will have to see if I can get a ride to town. We chatted for awhile and moved on.A mile or so later we were at the shelter. There was Red and Blue who were just leaving after a short stop. Two other girls were there for the night, Appolo and Bonfire. Actually they were still there from last night...hadn't moved all day. They had started from Springer back in February so they are taking their time. I think they said they were waiting for a friend to catch up. I cooked Mountainhouse lasanga for supper..not bad. After dinner it started to rain and Sue Bear and another hiker came in for the night for a total 0f 6. After a few hours of hiking I sometimes get an ache in the upper back or shoulder. Charlie came up with this. You hold your hiking poles evenly in both hands behind your back. You lean forward, raising the poles up until they lift the bottom of the pack up enough to take the pack weight off your shoulders. You can walk along like this as long as the trees next to the trailpath aren't too close.Thought for the Day: Trail magic is "magic" no matter when you receive it.