Date: 2007-03-20
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh, my feet are KILLING me! I couldn't walk another step, so I've set up campin a rhododendron grove...it's quite picturesque! I got here about 4 pm and wasalone until 7 when Buzz joined me. He's an older gentleman who thru-hiked in'05 and is just out for a while now. Earlier a young man came by...can'tremember his trail name, it was an embalming tool he said...but he had done 21miles and was going on another 3 miles to the shelter! Wish I had hisstamina...and feet!!!Quarter Moon and Shamrock have shown up here...see, even if you want to be aloneon the AT you can't...but that's ok, they've brought news of other hikers behindme. Back to answering some of the questions...is anyone keeping track of me? No. We're on our own out here, although we try to let other hikers know of ourplans. Like today, when I stopped early, I passed word up the trail with ahiker continuing on to the shelter to let them know that Bag Lady was stoppingin Beech Gap. Just a consideration, not that I would expect them to do anythingif I didn't show up. If I get into trouble, I'll have to depend on the nexthiker up the trail to help me...and I'm sure he/she would...as I would for them. We all help each other...it's a wonderful community like that, because we aredependent on each other. I also know Dennis is keeping track of my progresswhen we talk every couple of days, when I can get a signal!I thought I'd write a little bit about my gear, and what's working and what'snot, for all those gearheads like me out there. I love my Pacer Pole hikingpoles...the ergonomic grip is just the ticket for pumping up and down thesehills. I love my Clark Jungle hammock. When it's been really cold, I've put down onthe ground between 2 trees, tying the head up slightly...worked great. Ihaven't tested it in the rain yet...so time will tell, but I have the extralarge rain fly and when the hammock is on the ground, it makes a pup tent. My cat stove is working fine and so easy with only one piece to keep track of. I love my zip-off pants. Keep them on in the morning when it's cool, and thenzip off the legs as the day warms up.I love my Marmot wind shirt. So light yet blocks the wind. I wear it over mycapilene t shirt most of the day, flipping the hood on and off to control mybody temperature. I just wish the sleeves pushed up more easily...the elasticis a bit too snug up the arm.The verdict is still out on my Amigo gravity water filter. Can't always find aplace to hang it...believe it or not. These trees either have full branches orno limbs or nubs at all to put it on...bit of a pain. And the bottle itsdripping in to tends to fall over as it gets fuller because the ground is rarelyflat...so you do have to monitor it. I'm still on the fence about it.Not happy with my Platypus Big Zip for two reasons: 1) it's very hard to sealthe zip and often when I check it, it's not sealed...would rather have a screwtop. 2) it doesn't stand up, so I can't fill it directly from the filter. Ithas fallen over often when I've to just put it aside 'til I can get two handsfree to close it.I love my ULA Catakyst pack. It's comfortable, designed well, with handypockets. Nothing I'd change with it.The Sea to Summit dry sacs are not! I'm using them as bear bags and they werewet inside when I took them down. Luckily, I keep all my food in ziplocks soeverything was dry just the same. I think that covers most every thing.Time for lights out...it's hiker midnight...almost 9 pm!Tomorrow will be a new day with well rested feet and a stronger back!