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Published: September 6th 2006
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GREAT privy at Chestnut Knob shelter! It was a composting toilet. Directions are to urinate in the woods and then do the "serious bathrooming" at the privy. After you're done, you "flush" by throwing a handful of duff (decomposed leaves in a covered can next to the seat). This had a roof and fencing on 3 sides. That's great. An open sided privy makes for a lot less smell, bugs and other critters!
They say that Chestnut Knob shelter has the best view on this portion of the trail. Great looking fog! So, no view for me!
I had forgotten that being here in the mist is like a day in constant dusk. You get so used to the glare of Arizona. The temperature didn't go above 65 degrees, but happily there was only a little rain still this morning. So, had my pack cover on, my rain jacket on...and my gaiters on (another not so great decision). One great thing about the cool weather and breeze is that it has kept the bugs down. One bad thing is being wet--all day-- all the time--especially my feet. I need to be reminded through all this discomfort
that it is as it is. The workload is part of it. The aching muscles and hot spots on my feet. On the other hand, it is the woods in the mist with a deep quiet. The smell of the leaves and the earth. Can we say heaven?
I am carrying too much. But what to leave home? The only things not in use are first aid kit and other emergency supplies. Except, of course, all these #&@^&^$* electronics: camera (essential), GPS (for geocaching) and (ssshhhh...please don't tell the other hikers) a cell phone.
I got here on a liter of water. Despite the rain, there were few creeks running. Last night was a pond. It's VERY difficult to fill the bag in a pond--much better in a wee waterfall. But happily, 2 miles before this shelter was a small creek and I'm camped here with a full bag.
So far, there's no one here. Mac & cheeese for dinner with tea and a mini-Snickers. Last night I just had a little peanut butter and jelly and some of Mom's cocoa mix. Yum. I'm not very hungry tonight, but ate anyway. It's the start of a holiday weekend, so I thought I'd see people. The weather has probably kept the weekenders at home.
I startled grouse several times today. That's kind of a misplaced phrase. While you're hiking, the grouse hears you and flies up off the ground in a VERY LOUD whirr of wings...similar to a helicopter rotor noise. You startle the grouse. The grouse startles you. It's the way of the trail. Happily, all of the grouse were at least 15 feet from the trail, so my heart attacks were mild. I also saw a deer and a little red salamander.
I am grateful for dry clothes, for time to camp and for a book to keep me occupied.
ADDENDUM
About 30 minutes after I dozed off (at 7:30 p.m.), I opened my eyes to see a person standing near my head. "Oh! Oh! OH!" I said. At first I was merely startled. Then it occurred to me to get my wits about me. But he had a backpack on and had the look of a hiker. I already have been out here long enough that I don't smell anyone but myself. Then I jumped up to retrieve my drying clothes that were hung about the shelter to give him half the space.
One of the great things about hiking when it's not thruhiker season is space. You have lots of space in the off season. One of the not so great things about hiking when it's not thruhiker season is space. You're often alone. But not this night. So, what are my clothes hanging from? Same thing as my food is hanging from.
Around a shelter are pieces of rope dangling from a nail in the shelter ceiling. Down the rope is a knot, followed by an upside down empty tin can (usually tuna sized), followed by another knot, a few more inches of rope and then the rope end is tied around the middle of a 6"-10" stick. These are for hanging your food so the shelter mice don't chew into your food bag. As mentioned, can also be used to dangle wet/damp clothing (which everything I wore that day was...especially my socks).
So the hiker. His name was "Tuxedo," a 30-something, kilt-wearing man from Evanston, IL, section hiking south from Rockfish Gap (VA) to Springer Mt. (GA). He was so thrilled to have someone to socialize with. We chatted until 9:30 p.m. while he had his dinner...sharing trail stories, trail histories, home life. You learn a lot. His mom has her hiking boots custom made (a thought I shall consider for the future). He chose Tuxedo before someone could give him a trail name. He said that early on he hiked and met up with a couple of women who asked him the question about what's under the kilt. (The kilt is an old pair of rip-stop nylon cargo shorts restitched to become a kilt.) His answer to them was that when it's cold, he could be wee willie winkie. They proceeded to call him Pee Wee. He said it was the last day he'd say he had no trail name and that's when he chose Tuxedo. Why Tuxedo? He's a waiter. Says he's waited on many Rotarians (for you non-Rotarians, Evanston is the hq for Rotary International). And we listened to the coyotes howling.
Now the privy is a thing of beauty here! It is another composting privy...but with NO fencing for privacy. It's up a bit of a trail behind some trees. I do like an open privy....how great to have the forest as your view during serious bathrooming!
O.K., so now I've spent two nights with a different man each night and I've changed into dry clothing both times. How is this so? Where is the privacy?!?!?!?
The first night was easy, I just simply mentioned I'd like to change my clothes and Anglase turned around. The second night was easier because I was already changed. In the morning, I turned around when Tuxedo dressed. Same thing at a privy, you may glimpse that someone is there. You respect their privacy as they respect yours.
Big (for me) mileage day tomorrow. Will try to do 14.1 miles. I've never tried to do that this early in a trip. My longest mileage day ever was 14.3 miles. But I feel really strong. I'm very happy with the strength of my muscles and my endurance! Thanks, Jill!!!!!
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