Date: 2006-03-24
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light snow

Well, I'm down but not out. Tomorrow morning Jim the ridgerunner is walking with me off the mountain and off the trail. Once at the ranger station, I'll have decisions and calls to make. What I know is that my hike is not over.When I got up this morning, I made sure everyone knew I was having trouble and might not make it all the way to Cosby Knob. It's a 13 mile hike and Jim said the last 5 is a steep downhill.When I left, I knew everyone would pass me and I could send reports down the line. When Curly and Swanson passed I was going slow but doing ok. Trail conditions were better than yesterday. We had 6 inches of snow and it was still coming down. Snow was pretty and made walking over the ice beneath much easier. But after the first mile or so, the back and shin pain kicked in even worse than yesterday when I did 10 miles. Today, I knew I wouldn't do more than 5. When Pebbles passed I sent the word down with her.By the time I reached the shelter, yesterday was replaying in my head. I was yelling. I was cursing. I was talking to myself saying that this was just one more lesson learned.I've been facing fears continuously since I started the trail. The Smokies have just added more opportunity. When I reached the shelter I was as scared as I've been. I literally did not know how I was going to face 7 miles of steep downhill tomorrow when even today's short declines were killing me.I don't know if he was specifically waiting for me or not, but Jim was here when I came into the shelter. He asked how I was and I didn't even try to play it down. I told him I was in trouble. I said I didn't know how I was going to get out of here. A guy on his way out said to me, "People die up here." I said that's exactly what I'm afraid of. In this severe cold there's no way to spend a night on the trail when I can only make it half way down. When Jim told me about the side trail off the mountain and offered to walk it with me tomorrow, I didn't think twice. He told me that right now we are completely isolated and too far for help to reach. There's nothing much to say besides thank God he was here.He radioed down to the rangers to see if they could get a horse up here. They really didn't want to. I honestly don't know if I can do 10 miles down tomorrow. I did 10 yesterday, but 5 today was all I could do. He's going to carry some of my gear. Gary, another hiker up here is taking my tent. Hopefully with the reduced weight I'll make it down. At least I won't be alone.Right now it's snowing again. We might have a foot in the morning. I'm sleeping with my water, shoes and clothes to keep them warm enough to use. I'm tryng to figure out how to finance my recovery time and a new backpack. As soon as I can, I'll call Standing Bear and Mountain Mama's, two hostels in Davenport Gap to get a work for stay deal. Hopefully my story is pitiful enough. I can also try hostels in Hot Springs.The one thing I know is that I am not quitting. I'll be back up here to finish this section of trail and get on with my hike. Everyone I know will have passed by. But it's early. There's plenty more who will follow.