Day 17: The Soggy Goodbye Blues

Starting Point: Winding Stair Gap (109.6)

Ending Point: Wayah Shelter (120.6)

Total Miles: 11 miles

Steps: 30,623

Achievements: 

The trail was evidently aware I have new laundry shorts.

It was good to be back on trail.  The city shuttle got us there by 9:30.  Now fully energized, we had little trouble with the climbs.  There was heavy rain due around 4 p.m.

At some point, Blaze fell and skinned his knee pretty badly.  He hiked on.  He was behind me for most of the day.  I let him catch up to me and he gave me the thumbs up sign, but his body language said he was lying.

Our goal for the day was 8.2 miles, a solid late start hike.  Dunkeroo reach the top first and had set up his tent.  The Sweeper was next, but wanted to hike to the stretch goal of 11 miles and a shelter.  I followed Blaze.

He took off his shoe and the brace he wore.  He had broken his foot a couple of months ago and wore the brace just to make sure.

"You know, your wife is very wise.  She gave you the rule, do not let your ego exceed your ability."

"Yeah, she get's me."

Blaze takes the brace off.  His foot is all swollen.

"My foot feels like I broke it again."

Fortunately, we had cell reception.  Blaze contacted a local shuttle service.  A mile and a half ahead was the Wayah Bald tower.

He tells me to camp.  I tell him absolutely not.

We marched on slowly.  The rain started.  We reached the meetup point and said our goodbyes for now.

I hiked on to the stretch goal and told the Sweeper the news.

The Backstop Boys are down one, and the remaining three are split between two camps.  The weather is rainy and cold.  It is amazing how quickly things can change on trail.