Day 3 - February 16, 2013

On Day 3 I awoke to the sounds of people coming out of their tents and gathering around the fire which RV (Harvey) had made the day before. Somehow, it was burning again ... 

This is RV (Harvey). He wants to enjoy living in the woods for an entire year. He began this adventure December 1, 2012. He's a gentle, interesting man with a great sense of humor. When I asked if he thought I could sit on my Camelbak bladder lid to melt the ice frozen just around the gasket, he said "depends on how big the asset." I laughed and replied "there should be no problem then." The strategy worked.

That's Chris by the fire enjoying breakfast; his pack is the green one propped on the tree. He's carrying 20 lbs. of camera equipment. Chris is 30 years old and from Asheville, NC. He was the second thru-hiker I met. He slept in the shelter at Low Gap and Blue Mountain and was heading for Deep Gap Shelter about a 15 mile walk. If the trail doesn't name him (and he thinks that may be a possibility because there are few people on the trail), he may choose the name "Frost." I think I heard him say he is memorizing all of Robert Frosts' poems.  So, Chris, here's a favorite quote:

 

Nature is always hinting at us.
It hints over and over again.
And suddenly we take the hint. ~Robert Frost (1874-1963)

The view from my tent when I unzipped it and looked out. You can just see one of the hammock hangers past the green evergreen. No one seemed to be up down there --too comfy in their hammocks.

I was practicing packing up while inside my tent (will come in handy on rainy days) before taking down my tent, when I heard crunching ground and someone walk up next to my tent. A voice said "Good Morning, PrayerWalker." I replied, "Is that you, Chris.?" He said "yes" and I said "Good Morning." It was probably rude of me not to unzip my tent, poke my head out and greet him but I'm sure the site of me might have frightened him !  This was the first time I had been directly addressed as PrayerWalker. It felt right and was a very special moment for me on the trail. I expect I might not ever forget his voice calling me PrayerWalker.  Thank you, Chris. 

Chris is making a documentary of his thru-hike and interviewing people along the way. This past October he made this beautiful clip; it's a blessing to watch (scroll down page to see). This is a link to his website  The Long Start to the Journey

When I walked into the shelter on Tuesday night and saw him taking down a professional size tripod, I said - "Wow, are you a professional photographer ?" And he said, "yes." I asked what he was shooting; it's a Nikon and I forgot the number. I have a little Canon Rebel T1i which I really wanted to bring but I knew I couldn't handle the extra weight.

What talent !  It takes a lot of gumption and extra work to hike and to take pictures and video which will be made into a documentary. It makes the journey even more taxing but I'm sure he will be successful.

I didn't take a picture of my snow-encrusted tent because I didn't want to take off my mittens. I was too busy removing the ice with my shamwow which did a decent job except as I brushed off the snow/ice, it fell onto my shoes ... talk about cold feet !  It makes a pack heavier when you have to carry a wet tent so I did my best to remove most of it.

This is a pic of my Tyvek ground cover sheet which was underneath my tent. I picked it up, shook it off as best I could, folded it, and put into my pack. Some don't use ground covers but I was glad I had one to keep the mud off my tent floor.

I was busy doing all of this when Chris left for the 15 miler to Deep Gap Shelter-- a challenging day in the blowing snow and cold. I didn't stop packing to take the time to wish him well and I felt bad about that.  Even though we had only spoken briefly, a short greeting on the trail, as well as a little talk time at the shelter, he was a member of my trail family. He had been gone about 10 minutes, I think, and he came back and said he wanted to say to 'Goodbye' to me.  I was overwhelmed. This young man who had a big day ahead of him came back to wish me well. I asked if I could take a picture of him and wished him success. I will pray for him everyday; he's a very special young man. I know he will summit Katahdin and his documentary will be incredible !!!  I am looking forwarding to watching it one day.

Chris with all his gear

 Below is a pic of Roy packing up. Tray Mountain Shelter was our destination for Day 3 - a revision from the original plan because of my late arrival the day before.

 Roy had spoken with his wife and the weather forecast was bleak. It had dropped down to the low 20's last night and the low predicted on the mountain for this night was even colder - possibly 17 with a lower wind chill factor. Roy had a new 0 degree sleeping bag and he wasn't pleased with it. He said he managed to barely stay warm while wearing most of his clothes. My husband was also concerned because the forecast predicted rain first, then sleet and snow. We were both concerned that it might rain as the day warmed up and then snow again that night. My sleeping system had kept me warm but I knew it was not sufficient for lower temps.  If down gets wet, it is useless. So, we made the very hard but in our opinion wise decision to hike down to Unicoi Gap (2.4 miles) and come off the trail ...

That's Roy ... snow is blowing around pretty good as we head to Unicoi Gap.

Yes, that's Roy

 The snow gets heavier and I get to test my umbrella.  I'm sure there may be people saying "Really, she took an umbrella ?" It's hands-free and it works for me. 

See the blowing snow ....

 Zoomed in you can see the blowing snow. I only removed my mitt to take a picture of Roy and asked him to snap one of me.

We were careful and took our time coming down. Greeted several groups of day hikers (I think) who were coming up.

Who is that person next to Roy ?

Looks like I gained 50 lbs. in 2.5 days of hiking; Roy, not so much !  Oh, what layers enhance ... but I was comfortable. Wanna know what I have stuffed in my big skirt pockets?  Everything I couldn't fit in my pack - just kidding. I carried 32 oz. of water all the way down and never took one drink.  Live and learn. It had a nice ice cube in it when I did take a drink at the bottom though.  Some of the coldest water I've ever enjoyed and it came from a spring close to Blue Mountain Shelter.

Roy, Patrick and Doug at Unicoi Gap.  

Snow followed us down the mountain and began to stick down here. Roy's sweet wife, Kathy, came from Cumming, drove us to Dicks Creek Gap. Roy retrieved his car and drove me to Cumming where G-4 met me at the Starbucks. I thought I might go in for a Caramel Macchiato but I didn't.

As we were approaching Starbucks, Roy said look at that -- it was an AT Thru-Hiker 2,185 mile sticker on the back window of a car just in front of us.  I didn't know they existed since I'd never seen one.  Roy said to me - another sign that you should continue.

THANK YOU, Roy; the plan didn't work out but it was good to walk with you; 

THANK YOU, Kathy, for your support and all the driving. Hope your trip to the Outlet Mall on the way home was a good one !

THANK YOU, G-4, for driving to Cumming on short notice to come get me.

As an aside - I walked out of a psychological statistics class in college during a test because I had a panic attack - my one and only panic attack (thank goodness) and only time to drop a class. Math was my most difficult subject all through school. After the test had ended, I went to the professor's office and told him I was dropping the class but I would be back next semester to get the credit. He told me I wouldn't make it through; I was too old and should not be in college and he hoped I would not go on for a graduate degree. I wanted to take the class from another professor the second time around but he was the only one teaching it. I returned and with a lot of studying and the help of another classmate who tutored me, I pulled a "B" in that very difficult class.

"Walking the entire Appalachian Trail is not recreation. It is an education and a job".

                                                                                                         

I believe this is an accurate statement from Warren Doyle.  

I desire the education and I hope to have the fortitude to do the job. I will return to the Appalachian Trail.

When will I return to the trail ? I am awaiting a biopsy result (to be received hopefully on 2/20) and treatment if needed.

The biopsy - it did not hurt

So what am I doing? Well, I have lightened 'Buddy', packed it in a different configuration for better carrying; adjusted the load lifters to move the pack closer to by body; moved my CamelBak to a side pocket so I can see the amount of water I am carrying and fill up before it runs out.

When I return to the trail, I promise my posts will NOT be this lengthy but I had to do something to keep me busy as I wait  ...

THANK YOU for your prayers.

“Patience is power.
Patience is not an absence of action;
rather it is "timing"
it waits on the right time to act,
for the right principles
and in the right way.” ~ Fulton J. Sheen

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Third Station of the Cross - Jesus Falls The First Time

 

Lord, it is difficult for me to accept this fall, to acknowledge your weakness. I wish you to be merely playing a part in a drama, succumbing to the cruelty of the mob simply for effect. But this is not an act. It is real. And as you fall beneath the weight of your burden, so fall humankind's delusions that would deny life's harsh realities and bitter betrayals.

I remember the days when my strength and energy seemed boundless. Weakness and vulnerability were merely words that spoke of others' experience but not my own. Lately, however, I often stumble over pretended self-assurance. Missteps sometimes come in bunches. Forgotten intentions confuse and disturb my sense of order.

Lord, by your life and death you have consecrated littleness, poverty, and weakness. Assist me, Lord, as I stumble and struggle with the diminishments of aging. Help me to surrender to your open arms, trusting that if I fall you will receive me and lift me, so I can continue my journey supported by your presence and love.