This is What You Asked For, Heavy is the Crown

First of all, sorry for being gone for a bit! I got a bit of writers block up in the Smokies and then reception happened. I guess it’s inevitable I’ll fall behind, even with the large delay I’ve built in. I wrote a lot for tomorrow’s post… and then somehow wordpress failed to sync it. So that may be delayed too! Anyways, on to the real post.

Shelter sleep kinda sucks, mostly because I’m beheld to other peoples’ schedules. I can sleep through a good amount, but at some point, when everyone’s packing up, part guilt tells me to get up. I better get used to it though, it’s what I’ll have for the next few days. The Smokies require (well, ask) everyone to sleep in the shelters, unless they’re full. Then thru hikers are supposed to be the only ones with permission to tent outside. So it’s just a reality of the Smokies.

I also swear that recently, I’ve been having sorer feet than usual. At least, this morning, I felt like I was dealing with the remains of that. Nothing much to do but to roll it out, and watch the mileage!

As I was scarfing down my pop tart, Truck Stop rolled up behind us. He apparently was held up at Fontana Dam, and didn’t get the chance to make it to the shelter last night, instead opting for the one official campsite of the Smokies. He started making second breakfast, or first lunch, while I was headed out. I’ve harped this point before, but I’ll harp it again, it’s cool to see other BIPOC out on trail. I’ve never been able to describe exactly how it feels to be in a sea of faces that never look like yours. In a way, it’s isolating even with other people.

Hiking was nondescript for a while today. I just felt like garbage going down the road. Part of it was fueling, but it felt like something else was dragging me down. It could be elevation, even a mile above sea level’s no joke. After all, pro athletes need oxygen in Denver. Then again, I could be making it up. My pack’s lighter than ever, I should be flying! and yet…

As I hiked along, much to my surprise I heard Truck Stop catching up! He told me every time he passed another hiker today, he was surprised it wasn’t me, and that I’m fast. But also… he’s faster. He told me of a David Goggins quote he heard, on how being passed is like having your soul taken. As always, the AT isn’t a race. But as a hiker who likes going fast (for short bursts), I’m always in awe finding others who are faster and go longer. Most of them have prior trail experience. Just goes to show, even with the training I did, there’s no replacement for experience when it comes to crushing miles.

Rocky Top Bald came and went, as did the rest of the hiking. The views were beautiful, but for some reason today, my heart wasn’t into them. Every time I looked ahead, I could always peek a white blaze, taunting me. The ones above squeezed every last drop from my heart, the ones below daring my knees to buckle. At one point, I finally took my first tumble on the AT! As I reached into my fanny pack to apply some chapstick, my foot caught a root! And while normally my trusty poles would catch me, I was preoccupied this time. No one’s fault but mine. Partially surprised it took this long!

Eventually, I came to a stop at Derrick Knob Shelter, our camp for the night. Danielle was already there, soaking in the suns rays on a grassy spot. This shelter at least still had the tarp covering the entrance intact, so it was a bit less windy than Mollies Ridge. Here, I got more of a chance to talk to Righty and Lefty. The pair are thru hikers from Florida, and Lefty’s a classically trained guitarist from Berklee! Hits close to home, Berklee’s another Bostonian school.

There were also two boys from Holland in the shelter. They did sections of Georgia and North Carolina on vacation, and were tackling the Smokies as a final challenge before heading home! But… they also wanted to know, what’s our favourite export that we supply? Lefty had a simple answer; an ice cream sandwich. They’d never heard of such a thing, thinking it was some abomination with toast and ice cream. Hopefully, when they make a stop in Gatlinburg, they experience our delicacies. So much to try in the world, so little time…

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