Day 58

Laurel Falls Trail to Vandeventer Shelter 15 miles – AT mile 438.0

Card of the day – 6 of Wands

They say you should never look a gift horse in the mouth, and this morning I had the opportunity to slack pack over Pond Mountain.  The hostel would shuttle me back to the trail head I got off at and I can pick up my pack when I passed there again 7 miles later.

It took me about a second to agree to this.  Think about it, 3.5 miles up followed by 3.5 miles down.  It’s a no brainer, and it was free!

The day started out hot and humid and it was only 9am.

It must not be a popular section as it was really overgrown and a bit of a mess, unlike the rest of the trail in this wilderness area from yesterday, but I suppose the star attraction is the falls area.

This morning I was greeted by a Frog, just sitting there on trail hanging out.  I checked in with a few friends to remind me what the significance was in folk law and mythology and it generally seems to be a fairly positive omen to meet a frog.  Maybe my dark mood is lifting and I can get on with enjoying this walk?

Any way, I carry on up switch back after switch back for what feels like a life time, through what feels like old forest and one of those landscapes that trolls probably live in.  I wonder if there is a Native American mythology about trolls?

Suddenly you start hiking downhill.  No view,  no nothing, so what’s the point?  Every white blaze is the point I suppose, but my pack did not miss anything that’s for sure.  Apparently in the winter there are better views of the lake, but the long green tunnel strikes again.

I was back at the hostel by 1130 and got Pizza and soft drinks for lunch.  I don’t usually have a heavy lunch and might come to regret it.

I headed back out at 12.30 with 9 more miles to the shelter.

The rain started just as I hit the lake and didn’t stop till 2.30.  You walk around the lake and over the dam and then up you go again back into the trees where I was greeted by more frogs as I entered the next wilderness area.

Why are shelters always on the top of massive hills, usually with more hills the following morning?

I got into camp around 5, the shelter was full but I was able to put up my tent under a Rhododendron.  The water was 0.3 down a seriously steep side trail which is never good  after both rain and a 15 mile day.

I spent the day still trying to figure out the why that I’m here.  But is that now artificial?  I’ve received some amazing messages of support, so that you all, you know who you are.

It was a nice evening in camp and I ate so much food!  There are two guys here who started 7th March, which made me feel a little better.  They seem to just be enjoying the journey and smelling the roses.  I should learn their lesson.

The thunder started up around 8.30 followed by rain.  Finally the lightning showed up at 11pm.  It’s actually very scary in a tent in the lightning and I was not sure if I was going to make it through the night! Fingers crossed!