Date: 2005-04-16
From: Elk Park, NC

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 23.6

The beauty of slack packing at Kincora was in being able to hike a relatively huge distance the next day while wearing a very small pack. Bob dropped us off at the same place he picked us up the day before and we hiked from there north to his hostel, a distance greater than 23 miles. Considerably more than my previous best.Sone folks hike fast, bearing down every minute of every day. Some hike slow, tending to take in the views, take lots of breaks and then generally look down on the more aggressive hikers. I try to do both merely by following the spirit that guides me. I like to enjoy the trail but I also like to run. While a very slow hiker with continually hurting feet, I run well in the woods, and relish the joyful feeling that running with a sense of physical competence provides. That and the exstacy of running fairly rapidly without a jiggling belly.Early in the day I began to run on the gentle switch backs and more level stretches. I walked on the uphills and over the rock- and root-entwined terrain. I did this for some time, putting some distance between myself and Figaro & Tofu so I could enjoy my solitary experience and they could have their alone time. That and to beat their pants off.When the sun began to climb near overhead my alternate running slowed to a walk and I stayed that way for quite awhile, eventually stopping for lunch at 12:00PM. It was only moments before the quicker and younger Figaro and Tofu passed me by. DAMN! Must youth always be served?I continued with my lunch, massaged my feet and got myself moving in my normal slow pace. Most people love the overhead sun, but being a cold weather person, it is no friend of mine and tends to melt me into a glop of mush. It wasn't even hot, but still I struggled with the early spring sun.By 3:00PM the sun was enough behind the western peaks that I was able to muster up a short run along the crests of the rhododendron-topped ridges and between the gaps. The rocky ups and downs were strictly walking for safety's sake. I don't know why walking hurts my feet and running doesn't, but that's the way it shakes out. Consequently I ran at every opportunity and after awhile began to listen for the somewhat human sounds of Figaro and Tofu as I had to be gaining ground.By 5:15PM I was at Moreland Gap Shelter, ate the rest of my gorp, drank the last drops of water and started off at a slow jog confident I'd catch the 2 of them before reaching the highway. More ridges, more switchbacks, more running on into the evening. No Figaro, no Tofu. On I went. My feet began to hurt and the days stress on the arthritic toes made it difficult to push off when running. Gradually I slowed to a walk and then to something a fair amount less, but my motion in a northerly direction continued with the occasional snail turning its head to snicker as it sped by.The last section was the 1.75 miles, through a garden of jagged rocks from the trail to Coon Den Falls to days' end. Darkness approached as I filled my water bottle at a small spring and drank my fill. Within moments I was on the road and hiking to the Kincora Hostel. It was 8:00PM and I'd hiked the 23.6 miles in 11.5 hours, about 2mph -- even with the run. The trip to town for dinner and shopping had already departed. I knew when starting in the morning that, slow as I am, I'd be going to bed hungry so it wasn't unexpected. Thru-hiker generosity abounds, and upon entering the hostel welcoming shouts filled the air, food was shoved in my direction and then more food. I ate it all and went to bed. A very tough but great day.