Date: 2011-05-17
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: light rain

More rain, wet feet, and toe sized blisters today. I think the rain this week is to make up for what I missed early on in the trail. So got up this morning feeling good with no real soreness other than blisters from yesterday. Had some coffee and peanut butter sandwiches and packed up and started walking again at 7:20 Used my some what dry socks that I put on after washing my other pair that still hadn't dried, to much moisture out even when putting them under my mat. Tonight I am using more extreme measures I don't like using. Sleeping with them against my body tonight, even washed they stink and get my bag damp. So back on the trail today there was nothing to see but the green tunnel and mud if you like that. For those that don't now the trail is nicknamed the long green tunnel due to all the rhododendron and general tree coverage along the trail. First ten miles, usually done by 11:00 these days, went by good with no rain and I took a break at a shelter and had some coffee to warm up along with some food. Along the next section of six miles to the road with a grocery/gas station near by it decided to start raining off and on. Still easy miles but started feeling the friction. Right at the road you cross over the river on about a forty foot suspension bridge which bounces with every step which was really cool. As I am standing at the road deciding where the trail is and which way the station was he sky decided to drop. Needed to get tp due to the frequent bowel movements recently so had to go to the store and would of probably gone just for a DrPepper anyways. So off I went along with the other guy who has been with us the last two nights who showed up as I was standing there. Half a mile down the road I get there and have another burger, chili cheese fries, fountain drink and a milk shake along with tp for $12. Bear Sweat showed up as well and we all sat there about an hour and a half waiting out the major rain. As my body starts digesting I started freezing and the rain had stopped so I took off. This next 8 mile section is when I really started feeling the blisters. All on my left foot, my heel rubbed a hole in the side, and my pinky toe is one giant blister now. I had huge calluses on them already but it just blistered under those because my feet are so pruned up. As I walk I like to consult the guide to see what is coming up and elevation and such. Well this section basically listed twenty streams, and foot bridges and two road crossings. I walk and walk and get more and more sore. Cross one road and walk forever and just know I must be really close to the next one. I look at the guide and even once I get to the second road I still have two more miles. I have already been doing this section for three hours which should be at the end of the day about 8 miles. Usually average 3 in the morning and two and a half in the evening. I get very frustrated knowing I still have to walk at least two miles with very sore feet at a rate that is below two miles an hour apparently. Twenty feet later I pass the sign that says shelter turn off. Don't know where that second road ever was, the one with a creek crossing and tent sites listed but some how passed by it without knowing. So get into camp and the shelter is full, exected it to be though so set up my tent and got ready for the evening. When i bought tp earlier i had to get a four pack so i gave a roll to Bear Sweat, when he got to camp he gave me a beer. Dont like beer but the carbonation and some thing other than water with dinner was good. Afterward I did my chores then retired to the tent as it started raining again. That is when I pulled out the needle and started cleaning and puncturing the multiple blisters and draining them. I think it is time to get my foot transplant that Fiber kept talking about getting early on in the trip. Was a long day that only got worse as it went on. To top off all the blisters, having my back constantly sweaty and wet my back and around my ankles where my socks cover are getting rashes. These are all standard trail issued problems you have to deal with, who wants to go next year?Tomorrow I should be in Pearisburg with a short 17 mile day. Unfortunately I got here so fast I don't think my mail drop will be here. Going to have to call the post office and see if I can forward it along to the next town without being here and I will catch it there. If I have to wait I will probably go to woods hole hostel tomorrow evening which is only a few miles away. Also need to find out what shoes the outfitter in the next town has. Logistically it could be a nightmare as its 24 miles away. If they don't have what I want then I am going to call rei and have them send me some to the next town. Also need to get new socks as mine are no longer soft even after washing. Hopefully by the time I get them the rain will have gone away.I am glad I am not in the shelter tonight, twenty yards away from it with the open side away from me, rain coming down on my tent and I can still hear someone snoring up there. That has got to be the loudest snorer I have ever heard.A deer wandered up about twenty yards from camp today while we were near the fire. Not sure if I mentioned it but when I went to rest room a few nights ago one started walking to about ten feet of me before I said something and he ran away. Also Bear Sweat had one chew huge holes into his shirt a week ago when it was hanging outside his tent to dry. Goodnight.I am back for a second, remember that snorer I mentioned. He/she is so load I put in my ear plugs and still couldn't sleep. I am resorting to putting in my last fresh battery to listen to a radio to distort the constant bassing rythem going on. Someone else in the shelter keeps yawning real loud in an attempt to wake them up. By morning I would be surprised if some have set up tents and some that will just leave. This person should seriously seek medical attention and have the courtesy not ro camp even near a shelter. I am dead serious that it is rattling the shelter and easily by leaps and bounds the loudest snorer I have ever heard. Ok time to listen to the radio and sleep Maybe.