Date: 2009-03-25
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

It started raining some time during the night last night and is still raining as I am writing this. Slept good though in the shelter....really good choice staying in the shelter last night. Dry and Warm!I did make my first strategical error yesterday. We got to the shelter in early afternoon, and were just messing around. Goof was smart and hiked up to Siler Bald (the top of the mountain) and looked around and saw some spectacular views....it was nice out yesterday. I didn't go! Stupid. This morning you couldn't see squat. Still kicking myself for that error in judgement.I started out today hiking with a couple of people who hike way faster than I normally do. It was raining, not many views, so I thought I would try going faster. I went with them for about 4 miles. Too fast for me! I have to watch my step too closely and can't look around much. Also, if I work up too much of a sweat, I get chilled when I stop to rest. Up until today I have monitored my pace, made sure I didn't sweat too much, and have stayed dry and warm.I may be weird, but there are some parts of hiking in the rain that I enjoy. But not everyday! It was neat hiking today as we must have been right at the "dew line". I would be walking in the fog...and "BOOM", it would then be clear as a bell! You could see the fog line ahead of you just before going back into the haze.I had my first fall today....no worries...no damage. I was climbing a hill, stepped on a rock, and my right foot went out from under me, and I went down to the knee. I caught myself with my hand but forgot about the additional 40 pounds I was carrying...no worries....my forehead was there to break the fall. Yep, drove my head right into the ground. No worries, just ask my siblings...I've got a pretty thick skull!! Trail note: I've found myself wondering if the guy who designed the trail had a military background. The trail through Georgia and North Carolina so far has used the military crest philosophy a lot. OK..in survival training, when shot down in enemy territory and trying to make your way back to good-guy territory without being captured, you would follow the military crest when following a ridgeline. Imagine a ridgeline running South-to-North and you are trying to go North. You don't want to walk on top of the ridgeline because it would be easy to see your silhouette against the sky. You also don't want to walk in the valley, because in the valley is where the water is...and where there is water, there is life....people and animals. So you walk about 80% of the way up the hill....military crest. Another advantage to this is that if you see someone below, you can pop up over the crest to the other side. Anyhow, the Appalachian Trail has been following the military crest philosophy a lot....very frustrating because you can see the top of the crest is just above you and it would be nice to be walking the crest and be able to see views on both sides!Equipment Note: If you don't have a camera already, and can find one for a comparable price, find one that is waterproof. I should have. I don't take many photos on rainy days trying to protect my camera. I love the camera I have, but it might not be best suited for this adventure.I have learned some new games for when we are just hanging out at the shelter....Catan, Farkle, Kent, and, of course, any card game (spades, hearts, etc).This was a good day. Good day in the woods, good day in the shelter! We stayed in what we called the "Abe Lincoln Shelter", built in 1933. Normal group here tonight.....Mr. Buffalo Man, Plunger, Mr. Right, Goof, Karl + Joni, and Chris and Terry.