Date: 2003-04-24
From: just south of Swim Bald

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Erin Says:Last night was tough for me. I was so achy and sore that I had trouble falling asleep, I couldn't find a comfortable position. Even after 5 Advil. I finally slept though, and I woke up this morning feeling okay. I could move! I left our campspot beside the trail around 10:55 am. As soon as I started hiking I felt less sore. I stopped to stretch out my calves too. Many ups and downs terrain-wise today. I got to the top of Cheoah Bald just before Craig. It was so beautiful up there! The top opens up to fields of tall, rolling grass. The view was incredible - we could see in the distance the ridge that we had hiked the day before. Wow! It is amazing to see how far our bodies can physically move us. The meadow/bald was quiet. I sat and felt very thankful to be able to see this. Craig and I took photos and got a photo together when some other hikers arrived. Cheoah Bald has been a high point for me I think. What a great view and warm, peaceful feeling. The afternoon was really hard and both Craig and I were a little cranky. However, I noticed that crankiness can be a great motivator to burn off steam when climbing a huge hill. And that we did - a very steep climb out of Stecoah Gap that kept going up, kept winding - too many switchbacks. By the time I got to the top I realized I wasn't cranky anymore, just thankful to have made it! I also realized as I was hiking that I have to do my own thing - there is no way I can physically keep up with Craig. He can bomb up the steep hills so easily. I have to stop and break and suck on my water. I started using the "German" hiking technique for the really steep parts - where you sort of hike up sideways instead of face front. It helps when your muscles are aching and tired because you use a different set. I realized that I am hiking for ME and I have to do it my own way in order to be happy.I am psyched that I am hiking harder hills and increasing the mileage each day. I have to remember to enjoy these small accomplishments! Craig and I arrived at Brown Fork Shelter, but there was nowhere flat to tent. So we hiked on for about a 1/2 mile and tented at Brown Fork Gap below. It had started to drizzle so we stopped. I could have pushed on, really! But we figured it might open up and pour. I scrambled to set up the tent as it started to rain and Craig dashed down the side trail to grab water in our 6 liter water carrier. Then Craig and I collapsed in our tent and chatted and were silly and generally much happier than we had been earlier in the afternoon. It is so weird (but normal?) how our moods and demeanor can shift so much in a day. I suppose it is to be expected. Since we were very cozy in the tent and it was raining outside, we cooked dinner in the tent vestibule. Mac and Cheese with pepperoni and hot sauce. Pretty good and very very filling... we had to toss the leftovers. That doesn't usually happen! I filtered water from inside the tent with our bladders outside in the vestibule. I managed to spill water all over myself when the tube came bursting out of the filter top. Why do these things always seem to happen to me? Thankfully my pack towel saved me again and I was able to mop up the water in the tent before it soaked everything. We are trying to stay warm, sharing our body heat in the tent. It is cold out! And I have almost no toilet paper left because I have had to blow my nose so much from allergies. I have resorted to a new low, I am now blowing my nose in my "street underwear" - just like a handkerchief. Lovely. I am also very dirty, my hair is knotted and is begging to be conditioned. Other than that, I am happy to be next to Craig - sharing our grodiness. On to Fontana Dam - where we will zero day and shower and eat real food and play.