We awoke to bright blue skies this morning. By we I mean everyone in the shelter, as we strangely all awoke as one. I was the first to set out, just a little after 9am, and had an even 14 miles in my future.
Unfortunately the only thing that hadn't dried at all were my shoes and socks. I kept my dry socks dry and got my feet wet and ready for a rough day.
The first half of the hike was visually a treat, crossing over a dam in a mountain valley, up to ridge lining alongside said valley and others nearby. It was pretty exquisite.
Water was just before the planned lunch shelter, and a terrible .3 mile steep descent down a side trail. Steep enough that I almost had to use my hands. Unfortunately water is rather necessary.
At the shelter I joined Tree Trunks and Rose with Duditz and a couple SOBO section hikers. The view from behind the shelter was amazing enough that everyone took turns sitting alone atop a giant rock looking down on the valley. Lunch was massive and rewarding, but lead into the second half of my hike which was slow going. The terrain was pretty relaxed, but the skin on my ankles was not. I'm always just outpacing the skin irritation on my ankles by mere days, but it's finally catching up. So I hiked a somewhat slow, but incredibly relaxing second half while listening to more of the Stephen King audiobook.
At the shelter I met Nimbus, an older gent who grew up in Medford, NJ. It's a small trail. I met two other people from the Marlton area and Lavender is from Philly, so I do mean small.
I let my shoes bake in the sun and ate dinner as tonight's posse arrived, one by one. Everyone looked happy and relaxed after such a nice hike today. Shenanigans continued on to the next shelter, while Lavender and Chief Kickin' Butt didn't make it to this one. The rest of us made camp. Everyone is hanging bear bags well tonight, because we've heard from SOBOs that there are a lot of bear sightings in this area.
If my heels heal by morning I can enjoy some dry socks in dry shoes. It's 16 miles tomorrow, so healthy feet will be a necessity. In the meantime, I'll rejoin Mr. Fantastic and Tree Trunks. They made a deal at lunch that for every time Tree Trunks curses he has to buy Mr. Fantastic an SE (Snickers Equivilant). He's up to 3 thus far, and it's been quite amusing to watch.
