Date: 2007-04-09
From: Partnership Shelter, VA

To: Hurricane Shelter, Va
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up around daylight for once. I knew I had a big day ahead of me. I had ice all covered on my sleeping bag when I got up. I thought about this as I was going to finally get rid of some winter gear. I got OG to take my 0 Degree bag; a down vest; a big pair of wool socks; my 16 oz REI thermos; and my truck keys.(about 10 pounds) I walked down to the car which was parked only about .2 from the shelter. I was not going to take any food with me except a loaf of homemade bread that Emily(OG's wife & an old friend as well) had baked for us. I hid about 20 pounds worth of food and gear in the woods to pick up when I came back through here in a day or two. I also had a package that OG and I picked up in Troutdale from "Frankie The Sleeper"(AT 2010). I could not believe the package that he sent. He said he was sending a few "goodies". Man that guy knows what he is doing! Well, OG and I parted ways when he dropped me off at Elk Gardens below Mt Rogers. OG knew that it was very difficult for me to ge out of that heated car. I finally got going and was sad to see my buddy go. I wouldnt have anyone to kid about feminine hygiene products anymore. No really, it was hard to say goodbye. I left a began the 3.5 mile climb up to Mt rogers. The wind was easily 30 mph and it was still around freezing; but, the sun was out. I had to wear my turtle fur baklava because of the fierce wind. It is usually to heavy to wear while hiking; it makes me sweat. The forest up to Mt Rogers is the Boreal forest that is in the Smokies; Roan Mtn; and Unaka Mtn. The snow was still in all the pine boughs. It was very beautiful. As I got near the top of Mtn I came into the Balds that cover the next 10 miles. I arrived at The Thomas Knob shelter and noticed that there was gear strewn all around. I learned later that a group of inner city youths had got hit with the worst of the last storm and just threw their gear down. They ripped holes in their sleeping bags to put their arms and legs through and left everything else. I wish that OG and I had come up here because there was thousands of dollars worth of packs, tents, etc. I did take quite a bit of the abandoned food and cranked up the big stove that was left. I used it as a heater. I would have fired this trip leader. I got going and avoided the temptation to take the blue blazed trail, Pine Mtn Trail. If I took it; it would save about 6 miles of hiking. It was tough, but I have stayed "pure" and have not missed any white blazed trail. I did notice that the days hiking with OG had made me stronger. Without the pack: I was able to try some hiking moves that I was afraid to do with a heavy pack. I have moved up to "a whole nother level". My pack was so light now as well and I was doing around 3 miles an hour. This was up from a maximum 2.5 miles an hour. This was just a beautiful classic hike. The trail is nearly treeless with herds of wild ponies running around. And with all the snow and sun; it was just spectacular. I took alot of breaks to look around and catch my breath; but, still made good time. I went into the Wise shelter and met a young couple. He was a young Assembly of God minister. We talked awhile and I headed back out. As I was coming down off the mountain heading towards the Old Orchard Shelter; I noticed two mares and two colts. The colts were so cute. I watched them for awhile and got cold and moved on. I got down to the Old Orchard Shelter and the shelter was full of 2 men and four boys. I let them know that I was moving on and not staying. I could not believe that I had already done 15.2 miles and I still had 2 hours of daylight left. The folks here said that there was a thru-hiker who just left that was looking for me. I knew who that was, "Mo Lassus". He went back to NJ for a week to, "figure out why he started this trip". I knew that he was going to start today(if he came back) a Elk Garden. I did leave him a note in the register at Thomas Knob Shelter. The note said, "Mo, MO, Mo, Mo". This is from the Simpson's episode where Mo the bartender steals Homer's idea of the "Flaming Homer". Anyway, I hiked the next 4.8 miles without stopping. There was a big 2.5 mile climb over Iron Mtn that I did in a flash. I was very happy about the condition my body is in now. When I got to the shelter: there was "Mo, The Professor, & Bobsled". It was dark; so, I got all my stuff out for my test night. The first night without my 0 degree bag. Just as my luck would have it: I punctured my new therma rest air matress and froze my butt off. The first time that I had a truely cold night on the trip. Mo gave me his lightweight emergency blanket which allowed me to trap some body heat and get some sleep. It was a difficult night; but, I was happy about hiking 20 miles.