My feet felt fine as I set off and I was hoping they would stay that way. Some oatmeal for breakfast and we were off, a few leaving before me and still more behind. The day was easy for about the first 10 miles, with a climb right out of the gate mitigated by some wonderful trail grading and switchbacks. I wanted to thank the fellow who implemented that section. The big event of the day was Albert Mountain, and another milestone, 100 miles. The climb was the toughest yet, with sections that the trekking poles had to be stowed and hands used to traverse the rocks. It only consisted of about 700 feet elevation change, but my seat of the pants estimate put that over about 700 horizontal feet. Tough stuff.
The top of Albert Mountain rewarded with a firetower, which I climbed with my pack on out of spite.
As you can see the views were great, even without being able to actually enter the tower. With some cell coverage I was able to make a few calls and rehydrate, then it was off toward Long Branch Shelter, only about two miles away. When I had hit Glassmine Gap I knew I had gone too far but hadn't seen the shelter. I went down a side trail for a bit and found a nice quiet campsite with a strong creek nearby for some feet soaking. No one else joined me the rest of the night. Speaking with several people the next day, the general consensus was Long Branch Shelter has not yet been constructed. Good to know I'm not blind.
damnit, you didn't call me! Why am I always left out! ha ha ha.
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