Date: 2009-06-08
From: Jennings Creek, VA 614

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Camping down by the river was very nice last night. Other than the Whipoorwill singing at us from 1-4:00am. !t was quiet and cool- we slept great and woke up early. We had been checking out the profile for the day ahead and knew we had a few very big climbs throughout the day. We were hiking by 8am which also meant the breezes were still cool and the sun had not had the chance to make it too hot to hike. The first 1000 ft climb was pretty decent and we took it nice and steady. We made it to Bryant Ridge Shelter, which was very nice, pretty early on and took a long snack break because we were anticipating the next 2400 foot climb up the next mountain. It was about 4.5 miles of straight uphill and another .5 mile to the next shelter where we would hopefully make it for lunch. Once we started the ascent we just kept going... slow and steady, one foot in front of the other. There were a few sections where we could see blue sky at the top of the trees, only to summit that peak and see one more right in front of us. By the time we made it to the top, we really felt pretty good and it was only 11:45am. We've realized recently that our pace has picked up without even realizing it or trying to push out the miles. We stopped for a very long lunch break at the shelter where everyone else from the previous campsite met up as well. When Freebird and Hop Scotch made it to the shelter they told us about a huge rattle snake they had just encountered coiled up on the trail. About 5 inches around and about 5ft long- they showed us pictures- I for one am very thankful that the snake did not cross our path. Even though they were excited about it, Freebird said that was enough for him. Wildlife has really been out and about lately. Snakes, lizards and a lot of deer- one walked right up on us while we were all eating lunch, she didn't seem spooked at all, just kept right one walking around looking for some food. Bark and I had done well to make it over the first 2 peaks of the day, but that was not the end. We had one last climb- Apple Orchard Mt. - officially the tallest mountain we will go over until we get into New Hampshire (according to our book). The climb was just about like the rest of them- gradual ascents, but long. By the time we finished we were pretty tired, but the good news is that our day was over by about 4:30. We stopped at Thunder Hill Shelter and met Papa Squat and Stickman who were already set up for the night as well. Turns out after such a big day, a lot of hikers were sticking around for the night. Bark, Otter and I decided that due to the chance of rain we would shelter it for the night. We were the only 3 to do so because the bugs were so bad- everybody else was pretty smart. Otter ended up pitching his tent inside the shelter and it wasn't long before we did the same thing (when we knew nobody else was coming in for the night). Had quite a time trying to pitch our 2 person tent inside of a 6 person shelter- Otter had a great time watching us dodge our tent poles and squeeze in the doors. It's thundering overhead though-at least we'll pack up a dry tent tomorrow morning.