The Priest

15 April 2001 ~ Camping spot on The Priest ~ 6.6 miles since lunch, 16.4 total AT miles + .5 up out of Cow Camp

I had the aforementioned hot lunch and a wee nap and hiked out in the rain. The sky is clear now, and it's just getting dark. It's clear because a very strong wind has blown the fog away. I'm a bit concerned about the tent. It already blew the vestibule and it's pole away and I had to go chase it down. I also tried turning the tent for a more favorable angle, but the vestibule is still catching wind. I'm just going to take it down because it's not going to rain now, and it's just going to yank it off the pole again. The wind is curving, effectively, so I can't really place the tent properly. Maybe it's gradually changing direction.

I saw a rabbit and a grouse on the trail on the way here. I've seen deer every day. Lots of them. The USFS has trash cans at the road crossings, but they are not bear proof at all. They have all been unmolested, so I'm guessing there aren't a lot of bears here. Generally, where there are bears there are no trash cans or there are those mailbox like trash cans that are bear proof.

Cole Mountain was a bald and it was fantastic. Tar Jacket Ridge was also very nice. A '99 thru-hiker (Angus) was camped up there with a friend. It was a lovely night for it (this was yesterday, when it was much warmer and nicer).

I just can't believe it was hot this morning!

I'm not at The Priest Shelter, but I bet I'm very close. No matter - the wind would be there too. I have enough water because I figured I wouldn't make the shelter, and as we already know, I don't like to sleep in shelters anyway. I just looked at the map, and the only flat spot is about .2 from the shelter. Maybe I'll get up early and breakfast there.

I missed Spy Rock -- Maintop Mountain was totally fogged in. (It used to be called Maidenhead Mountain but was changed. Too dirty? Maintop is sort of a meaningless name.) I kind of like walking through rhododendrons in the fog. It's pretty cool and a little spooky. Maintop was covered with them. I'm glad it wasn't windy when I crossed that. Some of the trail is so steep and exposed that NBATC has installed these log guardrail thingies to keep your shoes on the trail. It would be kind of scary in high winds.

I should get a good view from The Priest tomorrow.