Date: 2010-04-13
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Do or do not. There is no try. ~Yoda~What a day what a day! Last out of the shelter, again. This time I lagged behind deliberately, so I don't feel too bad about that. Half of the day was UP and the other half DOWN, but both were all together, so long ups and long downs today. I started the day hiking alone. I really enjoy the birds in the morning, so it's nice to hike quietly along just listening. The flowers have been so beautiful too. It was a hot day, the trees have not leafed out yet, so it was sunny. Really a nice start. Eventually I caught up to Stickwalker and Belle and we hiked along together, then even caught up to Mountain Man. We all sat in the forest and ate lunch together which was really nice. I've decided the oil that comes from warm cheddar cheese also doubles as a hand moisturizer, luckily, or my skin would be cracking. Sounds gross, doesn't it? It is, but I'm not giving up on cheddar yet. Love the stuff. Just after lunch we hiked up Max Patch. I fell in love, plain and simple. What a place! I want to go back and see it in all seasons, in all weathers. I love it. It's a really large (maintained) bald and you can see mountains forever. It really is an amazing spot. Found Aspen & Toothpick and Bird as well as others up there, and day hikers too. You can drive to get there. Also ran into some local people scouting a hike for their hiking club, made me think of my hiking buds back home (hi Upper Cumberland TTA!). The scene was absolutely breathtaking. Another hiker, Denver, gave me the best description. Apparently he camped up there and said to me, "Cody, you can touch the stars up there." Nice. Very very nice. Came off Max Patch into lots of rhodies and water spots, cool and nice. It was good hiking for quite a bit and I really like the water spots. Got to be a long day though, eventually the feet started acting up and the day ended with a long long uphill through a bramble patch to the shelter. Stickwalker & Belle were with me and twice we breaked and when we started again my right foot hurt so much I thought I would cry. I went over that bramble patch yelling:I CHOSE TO DO THIS!I WANT TO DO THIS!I'M SO LUCKY I GET TO DO THIS!THERE'S NO CRYING IN HIKING!Then I swallowed a gnat and almost choked to death, right as we pulled into the shelter. I tell you, that hike took a lot out of me. Later as we sat together and ate, Stitch told me that sometimes there is crying in hiking and told me one of her stories of when she first went backpacking. She is so inspiring. She's a really strong hiker, passed me in the sleet going up Wayah, that's when we first met. I met her again at Spence Field, nursing a really nasty bruised swollen ankle.   She took a zero that day at the shelter, then did low mileage days, zeroed in Gatlinburg and has just about gotten herself back into fine hiking form. She was so smart and sensible about how she took it all in stride and did a great job of taking care of herself, now she is hiking again. I really admire her. Anyway, she was really supportive, that means a lot to me.   After dinner I went straight to bed without even wondering if there were mice running around my tent. I was way too tired to care. Even Belle was wore out. Stickwalker told her to go to bed and she got up from the eating area and walked right into his tent and laid down and went to sleep. Mountain Man has taught her to gather fire wood too. What a dog!