Day 167: Spring Mountain Shelter

Start: Stealth Site (AT mi 305.3). Stop: Spring Mountain Shelter (AT mi 285.9). Today’s miles: 19.4 miles. Total AT mileage: 1907.2 miles.

Those distant coyotes from last night ended up coming a whole lot closer. At one point it sounded like they were getting butchered within 100 yard of my tent. I attempted to google “will coyotes attack a hiker in a tent” but didn’t have the service for the search to work, my screen was just blank. I had been texting Lauren, so I asked her to google it for me. Basically, I wanted to know if a pack of them found my tent, would they surround me and attack.. haha.. Thankfully, Lauren said they shouldn’t. That was all the confirmation I needed to put in my earplugs and drift off into a deep sleep!

I did, too. I didn’t wake up with any of my watch alarms. I slept until 7:30 and only woke up because of my pesky bladder reminding me I had been in my tent for almost 12 whole hours without getting up to pee. This getting dark earlier in the evening and staying dark later in the morning is really messing with my head. I’m usually a heavy sleeper regardless, but when it’s dark-I really sleep. Waking up is always a struggle, even when it’s bright outside, but attempting to get up before the sun is such an absolute struggle.

Either way, I was happy I slept well and didn’t get mauled by angry coyotes during the night. I got up, got my food bag and ate my breakfast back in my tent, sleeping bag wrapped around me, still warm. I was tempted to just lay back and close my eyes again, but instead I released the air from the mattress to make myself get moving. I packed and left camp just before 8:30. Later than planned for a long day, but not as late as it could have been if I had fallen back to sleep!

The sun was gorgeously shining through the trees just far enough away for me to see the brightness, but not feel any of it. The leaves seemed to change even more overnight, it officially feels like winter is coming.. although I hope it takes its time. When I hiked through a field on the way to the top of Big Butt Mountain, there was frost on the grass.

Speaking of Big Butt Mountain-what a name.. and a lack of exciting views. There were actually none, I even took the side trail and did a little rock scrambling to get to the actual top, and only saw the trees surrounding the rock slab I was standing on. Welp, no time to fuss over extra work with no reward.. I had some mileage to make!

From there I seemed to stay on a ridge line for a while. I had stunning views off to my left, and then came across Harold’s Rock early afternoon. Harold was a trail maintainer and active hiker, over many years he talked the others into agreeing to put “his rock” on top of this ridge line so people would have a nice place to sit while eating a snack or their lunch. While there was a sign telling me this, there was also an older man there telling me this, too. He had met Harold once, hiking past this very spot.

We both ended up eating our lunch in a different spot down off the top and in the shade. I forget his name but he was sweet and so was his dog. We chatted during my whole lunch, as I pet his pupper (that was sad I wouldn’t share said lunch with it). There was a group of 13 men (appearing to be in their late 30s or early 40s) that came through our lunch spot 1-2 at a time.. this sweet man told each one of them that I’m a thru hiker and almost done with the whole trail. He was bragging on me like we were family, and it was so very precious to be a part of. I bet his grandkids adore him.

After eating, he carried on his way and I went mine. My way ended up being a long downhill stretch that was covered by the green tunnel. It was refreshing, easy, and all around good hiking. However, that eventually came to an abrupt end.. and the climbing began.

I had 3.8 miles of hellaciously steep uphill climbing to do.. every mile or so of that 3.8 would briefly saunter off flat or slightly downhill before absolutely crushing my calves in its next ascent. It was brutal. I had to take several breathing breaks and several more “Jesus Christ, are you kidding me?!” cursing breaks. Eventually, just after 5:30, I made it to the shelter I was aiming for. If I had crossed any water before then, I think I would have stopped early, I was beat up!

The second I scoped out the camping options around the shelter, I put my tent up on a flat spot on a hill away from the shelter itself. I could see at least 3 men down at the shelter and knew it would be loud down there. I unpacked before taking my food and heading to the shelter’s picnic area. I met 3 section hikers, 2 of which are brothers and who were building a fire. It was nice to have since the temperatures were already starting to get chilly and the sun wasn’t even down yet. I had already put on my puffy jacket, wool headband and my gloves.

I walked down to the stream and got my water to filter, then cooked my dinner while chatting with the guys. Another man appeared shortly after me and joined for dinner and fire conversation.. it’s usually the same stuff with section hikers-who has hiked what and how far and how long, how much packs weigh and what gear you like.. bla bla. I stayed and chatted until I finished devouring my food- thoroughly enjoying myself and the company but I felt wiped out from the day. I got good and toasty by the fire, thanked the guys profusely for creating it.. then I retreated to my haven on the hill after hanging my food bag on the provided bear cables. I actually like the bear cables and wish they were at every shelter. It takes the stress away for sure.

I had planned on typing all of this up once I got tucked into my sleeping bag, but I’ll be honest, I hardly typed out the notes for today before passing out, phone in hand. I woke up a little before midnight and decided I’d just have to wait and type up my thoughts some other time.. sleep won in the battle of importance. I’m here to tell you, it’s getting so hard to stay awake to get this done! I love the journaling every night, having these memories to reflect on in “detail” even if it is simple detail-but dang, my body is fighting me to sleep, and some times, it just gets to win. Today was a tough one, those killer climbs at the end being so unexpectedly difficult. So, with that, I’ll try to do better.. hopefully! Goodnight, y’all