I got a good early start today with some help from my shelter mates waking up early. I was the last one to leave camp at 7am.

It was still hot, and the air heavy and filled with moisture, leaving barely any room for air in each breath.

After the first big uphill the sky got cloudy and there was a chilly breeze at the top of the hill. On the way I found deer sign.

I was slightly annoyed at having so many miles between any sort of camp site or opening to sit and rest and snack, moreso because my shoes were still saturated from yesterday. I was so hungry and uncomfortable and the terrain at the top of the hill seemed perfect for camping, but no sites appeared for miles. The bears have been lazy in this area and I did treat myself to some leftover blueberries.

When I finally found a spot, thunder cranked up and a quick heavy and short rain ensued.

Wet shoes went back on and I trudged down a bit of very rocky very slippery terrain.

I fell at least twice with no major injury.

Then back up a bit, where I came to an overlook, not knowing where it was. It turns out it was the Wind Rock overlook.

I stopped here to check for a phone signal since I knew I wouldn’t have one the rest of the day and sent out a few messages. I captured a video. I thought it was neat the way a few beams of light lit up peaks on the otherwise cloudy day.

Then back down towards Bailey gap, a shelter closed due to bear activity. I stopped here to poop since the closure didn’t mention the privy.

The terrain of Cherokee flats was dismal and slippery, a muddy mess, getting more treacherous  as I approached pine swamp shelter; the road crossing at Big Stony Creek was beautiful with many wildflowers blooming.

Closer to pine swamp the mostly flat trail beame a series of steep ups and downs, not too high but very dangerous in the wet conditions.

Reaching Pine Swamp early at 3pm, I debated going on but decided against it. Even with fresh rain I know Peter’s Mountain is dry this time of year and didn’t want to risk dehydration in the heat. Better to wait til tomorrow and tackle it fresh.

With extra time on my hands and no one at the shelter I inspected my body which is becoming covered in heat rash and chaffing with the alternating hourly patterns of rain and excessive heat – not to mention the skin that is falling off my toes.

I napped for an hour after eating, ate again, then made my bear hang. I’m still debating starting a fire inside the shelter; this is one of few with a fireplace. I could dry my feet and my shoes, but it’s so hot I fear it would be counterproductive.

Later just before dark another traveller by the name of Wingman came through. We mostly talked about food hacks to make eating more rewarding.