Day 10 - Mollies Shelter to Derrick's Knob Shelter

A night at a shelter with 15 people proved to be exciting indeed.  It's hard to say what time the ruckus started but I do know it was dark.  "I woke up to something just nudge me in my hammock."  I heard another hiker,  "I smell a bear."  Then there was a lot of noise coming from the food hanging cables. "Their trying to knock down our food bags.  That's what they did in Georgia!" said Pantry.

There was lots more exchanges between Pantry, So It Goes, and Pudge.  Three hikers that we had chatted with around the cook fire the night before.  After about a half hour things quieted down and everyone went back to sleep.  AKSherpa and I had our doubts that there really were any bears in camp but the boys swore there was and who were we to argue.

As soon as the birds started chirping (nature's alarm) we slowly works towards wakefulness and our morning routines.  Getting water, taking down camp, caring for my feet, backing our packs and setting off on the trail.  It was going to be a decent day with 12 miles to get to our next stopping point.  With a hour under our belts we stopped at Russell's Field Shelter and enjoyed porridge for our morning meal.

Shortly after our breakfast we hit our 100 mile marker!  Heard turkeys, saw a baby gardener snake (just about done killed me), and my feet were doing better.

From Russell's Field Shelter to our next stop at Spence Field Shelter it was a great hike.  Rolling hills and some flats.  I was starting to think it must be all down hill from here.  As we were putting in miles we keep leap frogging "The Family" - South Pa, Uncle and CoCo.  It was nice to be seeing familiar faces on the trail.

Stopped trailside to make lunch before the big push.  Several ascents and downhills before getting to Derrick's Knob. As we started up our first hill after lunch we ran into two local Tennessee folks.  My jaw dropped when I saw what the gal was for lunch - A Mason Jar Salad.  The only thing I could think of is that Mason Jar has to be at least a pound.  There's no way I would carry that thing.  After chatting with them for a bit we pushed on.

                      


Our next run in were with a group that had started at Clingman's Dome and on day two of their hike. The gal that chatted us up had a thick accent.  She was asking how the trail was and her response was "That hill just about done killed me! I think I might just take the Kate Cove cut off!"  Well after going down what she just went up I don't blame her.

Sugartree Gap Elev. 4435'

Derrick's Knob 0.3

                     
About a mile from camp I bonked and bonked hard.  It took me forever to get to camp and my legs were incredibly heavy.  I had told AKSherpa to go ahead and I would get there when I could.  CoCo was in camp worried and asked AKsherpa if she should go get me.  AKsherpa said, "No need.  She's right there."  I had made it but barely.  We had a great dinner of Beef and Broccoli and Apple Pie for dessert. I slept good that night!


Miles 12
Catch phrase of the day "It just about done killed me!"
0.3 is really far