Day 5 I woke up to the rain and walked to the next shelter where a man named Ski offered me a couple of much enjoyed pancakes, with butter and syrup!!!! So GOOD!! I filled my water, and took out my sleeping bag thinking I would spend the day and night holed up in the shelter. But after a while thinking about how I only walked 3 miles, I packed my bag up again and headed out. By this time it was not raining, it was just dripping down on me from all of the trees around me, so it pretty much felt like rain. Then the wind picked up. What an awful, cold day. I got to the next shelter (Blue Mountain Shelter) a good 3 hours before sunset and I was soaked to the bone, and freezing from the wind. I set up my tent, took off my wet cloths, and found some cloths that were pretty dry, and crawled into my sleeping bag. I was so cold, and so wet, and so tired and hungry that I just started to cry. I never felt so...... helpless? Miserable? I fell in and out of sleep for about 2 hours and still couldn't get warm, then I heard that someone had started a fire up at the shelter. I got out of my bag and stood in front of what I thought at the time was the most wonderful and much needed fire. It warmed me to the bone!!! Just what I needed. After that I crawled back into my tent and froze once again, but I did fall asleep. Woke up in the middle of the night to the feeling of rain in my tent. It was only condensation, but every time a raindrop hit the outside of the tent, a drop of condensation hit my sleeping bag, soaking it eventually right through. I did have a good sleep considering, but now i do not have one piece of dry clothing or equipment on me or in my pack.
Day 6 I packed up all my wet gear and headed 3 miles to Unicoi Gap. Pouring rain went on all the while. Slipping and sliding in the mud and over rocks down the side of the mountain, only falling once!! With my klutziness, I think those are good odds. By the time I got to the Gap I was soaked from head to toe, completely miserable and ready for a warm shower. So I called a cab and another hiker and myself got driven into Hiawassee, GA. After a hot shower, some chili made by the Inn owner, and doing my resupply for 6 more days, I am here at the library typing my heart out.
I have to say it has only been 6 days, but this hike has been the hardest thing I have ever done. You know what the crazy part is..... I don't have to do this, I want to. I have seen some amazing views that have made me smile, one view made me tear up, cold and wet that made me cry, and great people that made me laugh. I will keep going on, I don't know why, but I do know the worst and best is yet to come. I will post some great pictures as soon as I can of some views, and two flowers that have bloomed along the trail already. Happy Thursday to all and tonight I am going to an all you can eat buffet at the local steak house!!! Yeah!!!
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ReplyDeleteOh how I am enjoying your postings! While I cannot fully empathasize with the misery of the cold and wet you are experiencing I do find that I can visualize the beauty of your surroundings. Take strength from the growth that is happening within you and the knowledge that there are those like me who value you and all your remarkable efforts. By the way, ever think of a unique name for yourself? Could be a fun exercise especially since you have the grace of time to be thinking about it! Just a thought. You are on my mind and in my heart. Love ya, Vicki
Emily, I really enjoy reading your posts. I think you should write a book when you get back. You write really well. I was in Colorado last week and we woke up to 6 inches of snow one morning. But afternoon it was gone! Miss seeing you on a regular basis. I think of you often and always say a little prayer. I am glad that you have hooked up with other people. It has to be mroe fun. Take care. Love and hugs, Carol M
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