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Journal Entry: 26 June, 1993 But the morning was cool and tranquil as we rolled out about 7 a.m. The food bags were still safely aloft, the packs were intact. We rolled up our sleeping bags and Thermarests and had a hearty breakfast of Quaker Instant Oatmeal™ (maple syrup and brown sugar flavor -- Mmmmmm-mmm!) which was enjoyed by all. I made and drank my daily required cup of French Vanilla Café.
Off on the Pine Mountain Trail, to end the day camping at Deep Gap. Or so we thought. We passed the camp of the Three Bozos with Dogs. The Little Black Cocker Spaniel charged straight for Eem, and sounded ready to take Our Hero's gonads back home as a souvenir. But no, that fate was avoided. The Big Black Dog sniffed around Kristin and me, leaving us in peace. Onward down the trail, towards Rhododendron Gap. Two miles later, there it was. We were still concerned about our dwindling water supply, and there was none in sight. Soon we would get more than we cared to have, but Eem and Kristin neglected to inform me of their part-time jobs as Rain Gods.
Exit Our Hero and his companions, stage left. Eem set off in search of a spring marked on his map, but was unable to locate water. Supplies are low. We did see three deer in the Gap, one coming within about 20 feet or so from me. All too soon, The Three Bozos and their Dogs come barreling through and the deer bound off into the trees. We hoist our packs and set off down the A.T. again, headed for Deep Gap. Yeah, right. We spy a half-dozen or so wild ponies grazing near the trail, and move on, avoiding the mounds of horse poo. After a few miles, Eem discovers a building ahead on the trail; its the new Thomas Knob shelter on the A.T., having replaced the one at Deep Gap. Guess we had some old info -- we won't be staying here tonight. But there is a table here, and more importantly, water in the corral out back. Eem & I follow Two Dudes back to the spring and wait while one Dude fills his two-gallon watersack at the trickling pipe. The Dudes finish up and go, and Eem climbs the fence with his trusty First Need water filter to fill the Nalgene bottles from the source.
A group of four Yee-Hahs arrives at the shelter and inquires about the water. Helpfully informed by Our Hero, the male Yee-Hahs set off for the spring. The rain clouds now are blowing in quickly, and as we chew the last of the Beef Log, we break out the rain gear. Eem and Kristin are styling in their dark blue rain jackets, but they can't compete with me in my yellow K-Mart poncho, swiped from Mom-n-Dad's closet (only $2.97 when new!). Haute couture for sure! Into the rain we go. It doesn't last long, however, and soon we come upon another lovely mountain meadow. A break is called for, and the packs are dropped. I spot another deer a long way off, then eat a PowerBar and suck some Gatorade. The packs are hoisted and off we go, a perfect campsite passed by. Oh well. Eventually we come to the trail split at Deep Gap. Kristin and I look around. We're on the side of a mountain, there's no place to camp. Kristin is in need of a feet transplant, and my oversized pack is still crucifying me (the too-big frame mangles my upper body, and the pack squeaks like a pack of rabid chipmunks, which mangles my mind). Eem has learned an important lesson: Pay attention to the isopiths on the map when planning stops. So now he feels really bad, but there's no choice but to trudge on. At least the rain has stopped. For now. It's four more miles to the National Forest Campground. "No way," says Kristin, even though there are showers and flush toilets. Also a camping fee. The map shows some flatter areas ahead, but we'd already hiked six miles today and we novices don't want to go much farther. Kristin's feet have begun living a life of their own, stumbling her all over the trail. I've tightened a pair of straps on my pack, eliminating most of the squeaking problem, but not doing much for my shoulder or back pain. Kristin describes her "heat rash" which sounds a lot like "diaper rash" to me. Eem learns another important lesson: Bring talcum powder. But then, a possible camp site is located. Packs are dropped and Eemer scouts ahead, making sure no lovely meadow is just around the corner from this Godforsaken spot in the woods. He returns, saying that this is the best bet. (A previous clearing had been passed by, the area being full of what appeared to be the dreaded "Burnie Weed" from our childhood in Minnesota, so-called because roaming around in it will make your skin itch like it was "burning." It's not Poison Ivy or Oak or Sumac, but it has little "nettles" that irritate the epidermis. I still don't really know what it is -- it's just "Burnie Weed" and I know it when I see it. After some thusly inspired reminiscing about who shoved who into the Burnie Weed patch when we were younger, we moved on.) So the ground was cleared of fallen sticks and stones, and the tent was set up. Just in time, it turns out -- the rain began again. During a break, Kristin left the tent to perform some bodily cleansing while Eem and I started a small Farty War. Upon her return, Kristin demands a truce. After a short nap for Eemer and Kristin, massages for sore muscles were given. Then it was dinnertime. Ah, yes -- the quart of water was set on to boil (using the heat shield this time, which speeds the process immensely) and soon the freeze-dried Chicken Paprikash was in the pot. We were underwhelmed yet again. Better than the Beef Teriyaki, but that's not saying much. The hot cocoa afterwards was just the ticket though, and then Eem handed out mints all around. A brief discussion about the fact that no one has yet had to "girn in the woods" ensued. Eem confirms that it sometimes takes a while, as the body adjusts to the new food, pack straps may be "constricting," etc., and we may very well escape to civilization and flush toilets before the need strikes. In the meantime, the Beef Teriyaki is exacting its revenge, resulting in some extremely pungeant flatulence. Eem and Kristin are looking with anticipation towards the morrow, when the Paprikash and Beanie-Weenies should kick in for me in Full Force. No doubt, it will be vile. Looks like another day of bringing up the rear for me.... The usual camp chores were performed, and a pee break was needed. Kristin had difficulty with the Leave-No-Trace practice of setting alight the T.P. until Eemer showed her the trick to it. She also confirmed the revenge of the Beef Teriyaki, but not in as big a way. And so, all retired to the tent and the sleeping bags with a vow of clean clothes for tomorrow and a hope of no more rain. We'll see. outside || previous || next
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he wind last night, she howled and howled. And Kristin and I, we snored and snored. According to Eem, she and I made quite the impressive tag-team, snoring-wise. Little sleep was had by Our Hero. Kristin, forced by Nature's Call to venture out into the Gale Force Winds in the middle of the night, had difficulty with the wind-and-darkness combo, and reportedly peed on her leg.
