Date: 2009-02-20
From: Partnership Shelter (3300')

To: Tilson Gap (3500')
Miles today: 19.0

02-20-2009 South Fork Holston River to PearisburgEntry OneI woke up around 5:00 a.m. and went to use the bathroom in the port-o-potty. It was twenty degrees in my tent. It must have been around thirty or so in the port-o-potty, because it felt warmer. I did not leave my thermometer outside, but it had to drop to around ten degrees or so. (outside)I quickly got back into my bag and went back to sleep until around six thirty. I did shiver some during the night, but it was not bad at all. I slept pretty sound. After breakfast and breaking down camp, I went to get water. The water spicket had frozen. I tried to pull on the handle and it broke off!! Oops. The pond below was a solid sheet of ice, so I drank up what little drink I had, which was more like a slushy than anything, and got on the trail and headed north.As I crossed Va.622 and ascended Brushy Mountain, I felt the northwesterly winds pounding on my face. I had my winter gloves on with full winter gear and the only exposed area was my cheeks. After a few hard breaths, I reminded myself that it could be colder!!Summiting Brushy Mountain left me exposed to some of those wicked winds that kinda push you sideways in both directions. How crazy is this?? I focused on the views behind me of Mount Rogers and Rhododendron Gardens. Then I look to the north towards Burkes Gardens. The views are commanding and outstanding. What a beautiful day. As I walk along and watch for big rocks, I am keeping my eyes out for icy spots as well.I summit Locust Mountain and ascend to a water source. This is where inexperience comes into play.I am still pretty cold, but know it is time to drink, regardless. I pull out my water pump and stick my floater in the creek. As I start to pump, I realize that my tubes are frozen solid. Next, I unscrew my filter and ice has collected on it as well. After a few minutes of pumping and getting the ice out of the tubing, I am able to filter water. I mix with powdered Gatorade and my head is pounding. The water is so cold. I do not know if I have ever drank water quite so cold in my life. Either way, I drink and then eat a small snack. Ice sickles form anywhere possible along creek beds.Sometime later, I cross over USFS 86 and move toward Chatfield Shelter. Chatfield is where I originally had planned to sleep last night. As I near the shelter, the creek is swollen and I backtrack the shore line to some rocks and a clear path across without getting my feet wet. I did get my trail runners a little bit wet, but nothing major.I crawl through mountain laurel to get back to the trail and to the shelter. I should have just taken my pack off and it would have been an easier maneuver. No big deal.The trail register says that the next shelter north is 18 miles away. Sounds like Davis Path Shelter may just be out of commission at this time.My lunch consisted of tortillas and a tuna pack. The tuna was frozen solid. Kind of like eating a ¢tuna pop¢ if you will. My tortillas were kind of like matzo crackers. I ate it. Not fun, but I ate it. When I get down to Groseclose, maybe I¢ll grab a snack or something. Got to love it out here. You really find out what you are made of. It is not about getting down and upset when things do not go your way. It¢s about solving problems and identifying solutions to those problems without freaking out. I try and learn along the way and it makes the next day or hike maybe just a little more enjoyable.