I started late this morning, but I probably needed to sleep. War Spur’s departure was aggressive. Then I had rolls to the Laurel Creek shelter. Appropriately named, you can parallel the creek for a while after the shelter.
Rhodes Tunnels
Once out of the tunnels, there were cow pastures, views and sunshine. I saw the Keffer oak, the largest south of the AT, which looks dangerous. But maybe this is what 300-year-old oaks look like?
The vegetation slowly changed to pine trees. The smell reminds me of dry summers in south Georgia, a mix of dust and pine needles. This dominated the climb back to the ridge. Once on the ridge, there were all these piles of rocks stacked up. I’m very curious about when and why they were built.
I’ve seen this in field clearing, but they don’t seem spaced far enough for a field.
After the Sarver Hollow shelter, the trail became more technical. I had to go slowly and watch my step through piles of rocks and along sloping rocks. However, the views across the valley to the next ridge were stunning.
I arrived late to camp. My feet are a mess, damaged from being soaked. You may have to adjust plans. At the rate I’m binding my feet, I’ll run out of tape before I run out of blisters. Wet feet just blister easily.
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with blueberries, almonds and oat bran.
- Lunch: couscous with tomatoes
- Dinner: Farm to Summit, Chili and Cornbread, Oyster Crackers
- Snacks: clif bar, fig bar x2, stroopwafel x2, chocolate. coated freeze dried strawberries, oyster crackers, poha
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