Date: 2004-07-05
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: few clouds

View from Ivy Creek OverpassStart: Blackrock Hut @ 0848 Finish: Hightop Hut @ 1942Miles: 21.4Weather: Hit or miss Thunderstorms, Sunny, Hot & Humid 90'sBreakfast: Chocolate CIB, Strawberry PoptartsLunch: Snickers, Twix, Honey Roasted PeanutsDinner: Mountain House Beef Stroganoff, Fudgeround, SnickersTrail Conditions: Insert Text Here Animals: Lots of deer, Hawk, Squirrels, BirdsPeople: Chafe, Victory Light, Gatherer, Sardine, Grizzly Dave, Section-hikers, Lev (a sobo)Before falling off to sleep Chafe noticed a huge nasty spider in the rafters. It was about 2 inches in diameter, had incisors that could bite off the head of a rabbit, and it was toting a spider sack. This morning Chafe found that very spider in his hiking boot. He was able to get the spider out without losing a limb himself, but we decided the bugger had to pay. Being the cold hearted, anti-PETA guy that I am, I doused the spider in denatured alcohol and killed it. A burnt offering to a pagan hiking god.After the morning's ritualistic sacrifice I headed off once again. I licked out the miles to Loft Mountain Campground and spent about two hours drying out my gear in the afternoon sun. I had heard rumors of a camp store, but was told it was like a mile away on paved road, so I passed. I got back on the trail and about a half mile down I saw a sign advising the store was only 70 yards off the trail. I couldn¢t afford any more rest time so I had to miss out on some goodies at the store. Deer on the TrailConsistent with a recent trend it was ridiculously hot and humid. Water sources were not in abundance so it was hard to stay adequately hydrated. Although I did chug about four liters of water by my rest break at Pine Field Hut. As I rolled into Pine Field loud rumbles of thunder could be heard nearby, although it was clear and sunny overhead. Not sure if it would hit or not I waited about an hour at the shelter, and it did blow over. So I continued on. A few more miles down at Simmons Gap it began thundering again and this time I got caught in the storm. It poured down rain for about 30 minutes. The trail was very beautiful, however, as the sun was still out around the thunderhead, and the rays of sun glistened of the millions of rain drops.The last several miles of the day were incredibly arduous. Actually, it was some of the hardest hiking for me. I was physically exhausted and extremely hungry. I simply had no energy whatsoever, and was walking uphill. For the last mile I found myself walking about 25 yards at a time ¢ stop and rest ¢ walk briefly ¢ rest, etc¢¦.. When I finally made it to the shelter I flopped down and sat spaced out for about 15 minutes. Victory Light, a nice dude and all ¢ but definitively fried from years of drug abuse ¢ kept talking to me during this time although I didn¢t respond to him once. Once I regained some energy I went about the evening chores. Tiki Torch Burns BrightlyChafe, Gather, and a SOBO flip-flopper were also there. The SOBO was a retired assistant district attorney in Oklahoma. He was very interesting to talk with and did not fit the profile of prosecutors I knew back home. Tired and filled up with food I called it a night and blew out the tiki torch ¢ which did a wonderful job of keeping the bugs away.One Year Reflection