4/25/99 Muscrat Creek Shelter

Well I knew it would come sooner or later: my first miserable hiking day. It rained hard all last night and I woke up to cold temps and clouds. Actually, it felt like an average day in the Whites, so for awhile, I felt right at home. But the temperature never rose, the drizzle never stopped and I have seen NO ONE on the trail. I sit here in Dick's Creek Gap with 3 options.

1. Stay on schedule and head to Plumorchard shelter
2. Head into Hiawassee and grab some hot chow
3. Head to Blueberry patch hostel

I would like to head to the hostel, take a hot shower, do some laundry and have a big breakfast, but I am already questioning my toughness to remain on the trail and an easy out like this may only increase my chances of quitting when the going gets really rough. But then again, there are just so many hiker hostels. Well, I just spent the last few minutes talking to well, lets just call him Bill Bob, the self proclaimed hiker shuttle. $3 to Blueberry, $5 to town or a joint for either. Various other stories about how he was so stoned he

1. Forgot how many gears his truck had
2. Tried to pan for gold etc..

AT Miles today : 22.2
Distance from Springer : 78.4

Wow, my first day over 20 miles and I am in pain. I seemed to be caught in between a few groups of Thru-hikers, so I arrived at Plumorchard shelter to find it empty. Then around 4pm, Mitch comes hiking by saying a few people are heading to Bly ~6:00 and I meet Heather, Allison and Big Bird. They want to head to the next shelter, so I agree. Well, I guess that we have entered North Carolina. They decided to welcome us with some of the hardest trails so far. Then, The five of us stumble into camp to find the shelter packed.

I hurriedly cooked my food, changed my clothing and climbed into my WET sleeping bag. Looks like rain for the next couple of days. This is the first test to see if I can make the whole distance or not.

PROFILE:
Mitch, 25 years old, from Oklahoma City. Mitch isn't all there, but is extremely funny and kept me entertained by reciting lines form Smokey and the Bandit. He taught Math at Tucson, AZ highschool, but got tired of that and quit to hike the trail. When I asked if there was anything else I should mention he told me that there are 3 universal truths:

1. If you're fat, your pants are too
2. No one has ever truthfully said :"Steve Windwood is my favorite artist"
3. You eat food

Oh yea, and Mitch has a midget obsession.(Midget baywatch filmed in a kiddy pool etc)

Well its now 10pm and I am butt ass tired. Looks like this group is heading to Carter Gap Shelter tomorrow (13) so I will try to tag along if my legs hold out. Hurtin' and wet but still having a great time.

-Chomp

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