april 24 - roan high shelter

Today was the longest 10 mile day ive done in a while. The weather was nice enough, unlike in the smokies where 10 mile days were also difficult. But the terrain just kicked my ass non stop, all day. There were some good steep climbs, and they seemed to go on forever. Also, this hot weather is dehydrating me faster than before. I just sweat buckets, and drinking the way im used to drinking isnt quite sufficient. But that will figure itself out within a few days. Its just a matter of adjustment. It was a real late morning today, April, 24. I finally got outta my sleeping bag at 930am. I had a terribble nights sleep. For one, i went to bed late, around 11pm, also i just couldnt stay asleep for very long. It was hard to even get to sleep after waking to begin with. I ate poptarts because it was too late to sit around cooking breakfast. Though i was hoping for a hot breakfast the night before. Shortly after beginning my hike i met starface. We hiked together for a little, and evidently she really likes jews. Having grown up in miami with many jewish friends. I hiked ahead of her though when we stoppedfor a break. I didnt want to sit for any longer than necessary. I had heard news of a storm that was supposed to begin around 3pm. The long uphhill started. The uphill to the highest shelter on the AT. Roan high knob shelter, at least i think thats its name. Its higher than 6000 feet. At that height, a thunderstorm in the nearby town is likely to be an ice storm up here. I wanted to get there as early as possible, as im not in the mood for an ice storm. Ever. She quickly passed me as my pace slowed to a crawl. I figured that while walking slow i might as well peruse the growing greenery for any interesting plants. I ate a few ramps, which are a type of wild onion, and a wild ginger. The roots are good but the plant is bitter. A few miles from the top i stopped to get water. Clouds were forming and the wind was picking up. But no rain or storm yet. From there it a final push for almost 2 miles up a steep rocky hill. I was already beat, my ankles and knees were not happy. I ate a granola bar and continued. About 20 minutes in i was filled with a renewed, energetic feeling. The granola bar had finally kicked in. I think i just hadnt been snacking enough through the day. I was still tired but not sluggish like i had been earlier. I finally made it to the shelter. This shelter has four walls and a door. Sitting here in my sleeping bag ive never appreciated a door so much. Especially with a rainy wind outside that would surely be blowing in if there were only 3 walls. Doors are amazing. Im sharing this shelter with twigs, guru, and quaker. Me and quaker had a long conversation about religion, he grew up a quaker, but isnt big on theology so much anymore, but still maintains a personal relationship with god. Though he has kept the quaker beard. Guru is another jew on the trail. I think that brings my count up to 3 other jews so far on the trail. Its not late, about 9pm, but today really beat me. My whole body is sore. Especially my legs. I stretched before, i think it helped a bit. The rain just really picked up. Its loud on the roof of the shelter.