Date: 2017-03-27
From: Allen Gap, NC

To: Flint Mountain Shelter, NC
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Flint Mountain Shelter, NCMiles hiked:307.0, Miles to go: 1882.8The plan was to hike an 18.8 mile day today. That would leave us a 14 mile day, a 13 mile day, and a 6 mile Nearo into Erwin, TN. I woke up feeling pretty good today. My fever broke during the night and I actually was hungry. I had concerns about an 18.8 mile day, though, since I had been so sick yesterday. I figured I'd go to the Jerry's Cabin shelter at 12.0 miles and evaluate. It was a pretty morning and I was the third person out of camp behind Big O and J. They like to hike for a few miles and then stop for breakfast. We had a pretty big climb to start the day, so it wasn't long before Oz, then Lumber Jill, and then Rash and Pi±ata passed me. I've gotten used to being one of the slowest people in my current hiking group. I am also 20-30 years older than all of them. I could feel some residual soreness in my hips and knees and I was also a bit concerned with my hydration state after hiking with a fever all day yesterday. So, I drank lots of water and took it slow. Pretty soon Strider, Darwin, Legs, Glim Glom, Wet Wipes, and Honey Badger came flying by. They had all waited until Mom's Store, which was located 200 ft from where we camped in Allen's Gap, opened. Apparently, it wasn't much of a store; but, they had beer and candy, so those guys were happy. Everyone was concerned and asked how I was feeling today, so that was cool. Today's hike turned out to be more difficult than expected. The climbs were long and there were a couple parts than ran along an exposed ridge that involved a lot of rock scrambling. It was beautiful but tough. At one point during the exposed ridge hike, I looked back and could see the mountains being swallowed by rain clouds. Just as I finished the exposed section, the rain began to fall. I trudged on through the rain, pretty worn out from the long term effects of whatever crud I had had and the rock scramble across the ridge. As I neared the shelter, I was passed by T-Rex, Tip Toe, Scout & Scoutmaster, and Machine. They were all hiking in the soft rain without shirts on and had tied bandanas around their heads and had stuck rhododendron leaves in them to look like feather headdresses. Scout didn't have a headdress since he's a dog; but, he had rhododendron leaves sticking out of his panniers. They had looked like Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. When I arrived at the Jerry's Cabin Shelter, I was pretty tired and had decided to stay. All the others that I started the day with had moved on to the next shelter. As I sat there resting, the rain stopped and the sun came back out. I also watched T-Rex and Tip Toe bantering back and forth. I like both of them; however, the T-Rex and Tip Toe Show starts to get a little old after awhile. The funny thing is, I knew and liked everyone at that shelter; but, they weren't the people I've been hiking with the past few days. I looked at the map and saw it was 6.7 miles to the next shelter. I looked at my watch and saw it was 4 pm. I could be there before dark if I pushed it. The sun was back out and I had my second wind after sitting there awhile and having a snack. So I girded my loins, cinched up my pack and headed out. It was a long climb up Big Butt Mountain (that's the real name of the mountain); but, it was a longer descent down the other side. So, I was able to stretch out my legs and I made it to Flint Mountain Shelter a little after 7 pm - just enough time to set up my tent, get water, cook dinner, and hang my food before dark.When I arrived I was met with a chorus of "Beaker!", "Glad you made it, man!" When the sun went down, we all sat around the fire talking until about 9:30 pm. It was a push; but, I'm glad I went for it.