Day 4

Aug 26 Davenport Gap Shelter to Groundhog Creek Shelter 11 miles Weather: all day storm I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning. At 6:45, nothing sounds like a good idea, especially not getting up and out in the rain. But in order to make it to Max Patch tomorrow morning, I knew I had to get up. At that point I still didn't know if anyone wanted to meet me there tonight which would have been a very long haul. I hung all my clothes to dry last night, but they were all dripping wet from the moisture. By 9:15 I was on the trail, in the rain. The first three miles were decently nice with a beautiful waterfall. Upon crossing over the Pigeon River, I was daydreaming of a couple years back when I kayaked that river. A car coming up behind me broke the thought, and I could have only imagined how miserably soaked I looked. He slowed down and to my surprise, asked if I wanted an apple. I was caught a bit off guard, but quickly recovered. Throwing my raincoat hood back and smiling ear to ear, I responded excitedly. He opened his trunk to expose a large box of natural-looking apples. We get to talking there in the rain, and Appleman explained that he's doing a housing project at a bankrupt orchard. So there hundreds of organic apple trees just begging to be harvested. I tell him of my adventures and troubles of yet and he reaches in then hands me a new lighter. Three apples and a lighter, I was ecstatic. Appleman, I hope karma brings you something truly wonderful. At 11 the climb began, and my apple induced happiness was done by noon. By 1, I was dead tired and all my clothes, even inside the rain jacket, were soaked. My toes were sloshing in my boots. To paint a nice visual here, understand that the trail was so steep that it was almost all steps of logs or rocks. The trail turned into a river so I was graced by a wonderful cascade of hundreds of miniwaterfalls each falling into the next at each view. The climb continued up for over 4000 vertical feet. At 3:20, I reached the top, barely. The wind was blowing so hard that it was difficult to move against with the pack The rain felt like needles with every gust. The peak is cleared for a large white FAA radar tower. I know the view would have been great because I've taken pictures of this peak from Max Patch. Not only did I discover what the strange structures were on top of the ridge, but I also visited them. I pushed myself down and after getting lost for a half mile, made it to the shelter. I don't expect anyone to be joining me here, but don't mind if they do. Four cups of pasta later, I'm cozy in my sleeping bag. High: Appleman Low: my feet are so blistered, I don't know if I'll be able to hike tomorrow Sorry no pictures, it was too wet for the camera. Also, my battery charger isn't working quite as expected, so I don't think I'll be able to post daily.