Date: 2017-05-17
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 15Wednesday, May 17, 2017 Russell Field Shelter (179.8) to Silers Bald Shelter (194.8)Miles: 15 miles in 9 hours with two stops2017 AT trip miles: 194.8Total AT miles to date: 1488.5Weather: Sunny, breezy, 70sBreakfast (Dinner #1: Curry Noodles) Dinner Dinner: One Pot Pepper PastaHikers: Flash, High Noon, late arriving hiker, passed a dozen or more south bound Smokies hikers, leapfrogged with last night's groupWildlife: Three individual turkeys throughout the dayNumber of bugs swallowed to date: ThreeWith the exception of a little help from Tylenol PM a few nights ago, last night was my most restful night to date¢and this in an area where every shelter warns of bear activity. The ancient stone shelters of the Smokies have dusty dirt floors, unused stone fireplaces, two platforms for sleeping up to six or seven people per deck and pieces of wind shredded plastic reinforced tarp hanging over the open side. At one time chain link fencing closed off this open side, but in these modern times, I guess plastic tarp is all that is needed? So one might think that sleeping in a space akin to a picnic pavilion, inhabited by mice, next to strangers, some of whom snore, would not make for a good night's sleep, but I slept great! My bag was cozy warm all night and the wind made for some good white noise. I was so dead tired at the end of today's hike that I also just about face planted into last night's ziplock bag of dinner, so that could have been a contributing factor. Was one of the first people up again, but I made coffee and decided to eat one of my heavier, bulkier dinners for breakfast. That¢s another thing, my food bag seems to be ginormous. Yet another reason for such a drag-ass day yesterday.The white noise stuck with us all day today, adding an air conditioning element to the sunshine. Maybe that's a reason this day didn't seem as exhausting as yesterday, although Flash, whom I¢m camping with again tonight, thought both days were tough. Tonight he¢s the one trying to stay awake through dinner. We have remained above 4300¢ feet all day including a nice approach and vista at 5400¢ on Rocky Top. Tomorrow is the highest point on the AT¢Clingmans Dome¢but we are hiking at more or less this same elevation. None of the dips down into gaps, or notches, just to go right back up. I ran into another 2016 thru-hiker heading south this afternoon. Samurai Blue started last year from Katahdin as a Southbound hiker in June, but came off the trail in October due to the fires and injuries. He passed his 2000 mile mark today on his quest, like me, to finish the entire trail over a two-year period. We very likely passed each other somewhere along the trail up north last year.Only four of us at the shelter here tonight, elevation 5454 feet. I already know Flash snores. I was interested in hiking another 1.7 miles to the next shelter (in the Smokies, you have to stay in the plastic tarp-protected shelters), but everyone from last night's shelter, plus more were reported to be there. Two new people I haven't met before arrived after dinner. Speaking of dinner, bug number three flew into my mouth earlier today. This one lacked flavor.