April 20
Last night we had stopped in a shelter soaking wet and cold. Everything was wet from my head to shoes. We knew there was a frost warning, but had no idea just how cold that could be above 5,000 feet! The wind blew into the open end of the shelter all night. It also blew up from underneath us through the floorboards. All three of us spent the night shivering in our bags.
I woke up this morning to find my shoes completely frozen. The laces wouldn't budge. The shoes were completely inflexible and my feet could not begin to get inside. The result was that I hiked the first miles today in my Crocs, which I carry along for stream crossings and camp wear at night. It worked better than I expected. I tied my shoes around my neck and walked until mid morning, when my feet finally could slide into the icy openings. By mid afternoon everything was dried and warm.
It was a beautiful day to hike, but I struggled most of the morning and early afternoon. The trail was over six miles of downhill, often with large rocks and roots to manuver. My legs turned to jelly and I was exhausted by the concentration that was required. I rejoiced when we finally arrived at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. We had desended from about 5,300 feet to 1,700. After a quick resupply and a cheeseburger for lunch we began the long uphill pull out of the NOC. The trail just keeps climbing up for miles and miles. We have come over 3 miles up the grade and tomorrow have a lot more to go, including the section known as Jacobs Ladder. If you remember your Bible, that was the stairway that went up to heaven. Oh, Boy.
I am settled in my tent. This is a hard day for more reasons than the challenge of the hike. Tomorrow is my 41st wedding anniversary, and I'm a little blue about not being home. My mother has also been diagnosed with cancer and it's hard to not be there for her. She will apparently start radiation treatment in the next week. I wish I could be there for everyone, but I can't. I'm glad to know that God can. Watch over us all tonight, God. Thanks.
Last night we had stopped in a shelter soaking wet and cold. Everything was wet from my head to shoes. We knew there was a frost warning, but had no idea just how cold that could be above 5,000 feet! The wind blew into the open end of the shelter all night. It also blew up from underneath us through the floorboards. All three of us spent the night shivering in our bags.
I woke up this morning to find my shoes completely frozen. The laces wouldn't budge. The shoes were completely inflexible and my feet could not begin to get inside. The result was that I hiked the first miles today in my Crocs, which I carry along for stream crossings and camp wear at night. It worked better than I expected. I tied my shoes around my neck and walked until mid morning, when my feet finally could slide into the icy openings. By mid afternoon everything was dried and warm.
It was a beautiful day to hike, but I struggled most of the morning and early afternoon. The trail was over six miles of downhill, often with large rocks and roots to manuver. My legs turned to jelly and I was exhausted by the concentration that was required. I rejoiced when we finally arrived at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. We had desended from about 5,300 feet to 1,700. After a quick resupply and a cheeseburger for lunch we began the long uphill pull out of the NOC. The trail just keeps climbing up for miles and miles. We have come over 3 miles up the grade and tomorrow have a lot more to go, including the section known as Jacobs Ladder. If you remember your Bible, that was the stairway that went up to heaven. Oh, Boy.
I am settled in my tent. This is a hard day for more reasons than the challenge of the hike. Tomorrow is my 41st wedding anniversary, and I'm a little blue about not being home. My mother has also been diagnosed with cancer and it's hard to not be there for her. She will apparently start radiation treatment in the next week. I wish I could be there for everyone, but I can't. I'm glad to know that God can. Watch over us all tonight, God. Thanks.
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