Date: 2019-04-12
From: Davenport Gap shelter

To: Tri corner knob shelter
Miles today: 15.5

My body cooperated and I didn't have to visit the field of dreams. I slept pretty well despite the interruptions of late arriving hikers, up until 9:30 and under headlamp. But there was no room at the Inn. We were side by side with 2 on the dirt floor. I woke up at 6:15 and was hiking out at 7:19 without breakfast. I knew I had a lot of climbing today and it was the day I was most concerned about. I popped 3 Advil and washed them down with a half bottle of electrolytes, almost like a hangover cure for thru hiking. The trail climbed up to the junction of Mt Cammerer trail and it was here I took my break to cook oatmeal. I'd eaten a kind bar about 3 miles ago and I was some kind of hungry! I opted not to take the 0.6 mile trip to the fire tower despite the reports on amazing views. I can't fathom adding 1.2 to my already taxing day. The hikers headed down to Davenport Gap were 50/50 on the side trip. I met Lolli and Pop and several other hikers while I enjoyed my oatmeal. It was sprinkling since I'd left the shelter but not enough to make me put on rain gear. The wind however chilled me and so I wore my rain jacket for warmth while I ate. My next stop was Cosby knob shelter about 3 miles further up the trail and there I ate summer sausage and Pringles and got more water. I met a Forest Ranger here also and he was just arriving for the night. He spoke with everyone there but didn't ask for my permit. I wasn't going to stop here because I was told that in 2000 a woman in her 50's was mauled to death by a bear. But the trail today was tough and I needed to rest and eat. I'm thankful for the overcast cooler weather and even the light rain. After lunch I climbed more and I stopped to eat some sweedish fish on the trail. I can't eat those and hike up hill because I'll choke. So standing there eating for the sugar I was bored and I read the ingredients. To be fair these are a knock off brand, the 2 bags for a buck at the gas station. And fittingly so, because the ingredients included carnuba wax, which by the way adds trace amounts of fat. Really? So should I feel badly about adding fat to my car or car wax to my body because I'm pretty sure I wax my car with carnuba wax! It probably wasn't my best choice in food for the day. These climbs today are almost continuous and of my 15 miles I bet 12 were uphill. In addition there are hundreds of log water bars. Ugh! They're a big step up and so annoying. I'm reminded of my first few days of trail when Brian was hiking with me and how much we hated the darn water bars then, having to boost yourself up them every time. Finally they ended and I gave myself small sections to accomplish being 2-3 miles each and stopped for a short rest at each one. Finally I reached a beautiful mossy pine forest, it was just gorgeous! I lingered and took a video as the trail softened up and the elevation lessened. I was about 1.5 miles away from tri corner knob shelter and I had cell service so I emailed my trail angel Christine with my pick up time for tomorrow at Newfound Gap. Finally I arrived just before 4pm. I had met many hikers today, Jingles, Nav, Puck Carrier, Ninja, Puppet, Pizza Steve, Whitey and many others who's names I forget or didn't get. I picked a spot on the lower level of the shelter and there's not enough room to sit up, it's awkward but I can see where the roof leaks and I don't want to get wet if it rains. I got water and made macaroni and cheese for dinner and a nice hot coffee. I cleaned up after and another hiker showed me how to use the bear cables. At 6 I crawled into bed to journal and hopefully get a great night of sleep. Tomorrow is 15+ to newfound gap but the elevation looks much friendlier!