START LOCATION: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
FINISH LOCATION: War Spur Shelter
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 12.7
TRIP MILEAGE: 658.4
MILES TO GO: 1,520.7
I popped a couple Advil PM's last night, which is rare. But, I wanted
to sleep like the dead. I slept like the dead. I got up once to pee at
2AM and was right back out again until 7:30. It was just what I needed.
Finally rolled out of the tent at 8AM. I had a sleep hangover. It took
Shotgun and I til 11AM to finally break camp. We just dragged and
dragged. Knowing I only had 12+ to do today didn't help. But suddenly,
the last shelter straggler approached us. He was a southbound
sectioner. He said an older northbounder left 3 bottles of medication
behind when he hit the trail. He was looking to us to bring them to
him. Since Shotgun was meeting his brother at Salt Sulphur Road only 7
miles up, I volunteered to deliver the goods. Suddenly, my 12.7 mile
day had additional purpose... AT Thru Hiker / Pharmaceutical Rescue
Courier.
Like I anticipated, we had a nice warmup before our big climb to the
first shelter. I felt great during the climb. My rest the night before
had done it's job. Took a break at the Bailey Gap Shelter and had
lunch. But I couldn't stay long... I had pharmaceuticals to deliver. I
was imagining this guy foaming at the mouth somewhere down the trail
as I was eating my pepperoni and cheese sandwich.
The long straight stretch after the climb was rough... Tons of ankle
and knee tweaking rocks. These were why I was only doing 12 today. I
reached Wind Rock and finally had service to send yesterday's blog.
But something was funny... I'd have full bars, killer service one
second and No Service the next. And none of it was the data
transmitting kind of service. I knew this was my only chance of
getting the blog post through. But after 45 minutes of trying and the
sun starting to set with 4 miles to go to the shelter, and a guy
probably about to die without his medication, I decided to abandon
hope. So, for the first time on this thru hike, I couldn't send my
blog all day. I was hopeful I'd make it to New England before that
happened, but 658 miles was a good run. I'm hoping I can send it and
this entry tomorrow.
Arrived at War Spur Shelter with just enough light to get my camp and
dinner done. There were 6 older folks all there. I walked in
announcing... "Is anyone missing something?" Nothing. I go, "Are you
guys sure, like some medication?" He piped up... "Oh! Thank you so
much. It's mine!" I said... "Hope I didn't mess up your medication
schedule." His reply... "Nah, they were nothing life threatening."
Thank God. It still felt good to help the guy out.
Shotgun and his Brother, who is section hiking, arrived at the shelter
too. We are all tenting and with those rocks that kicked our butts,
camp was quiet with tired thru-hikers.
Last tidbit of the day... I pulled my first tick off myself today. I
have been checking for them daily since Damascus. It didn't work too
hard... Right on my drivers side calf, immediately above my sock line.
Remember kids... Check for ticks daily to lower the spread of Lyme
disease
-natedog
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