Date: 2009-02-19
From: South Fork Holston River (2100')

To: Partnership Shelter- Mount Rogers NRA (3200)
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Entry Two ¢February 19, 2009Section Hike-South Fork Holston River to PearisburgAppalachian TrailIf it was up to me, I would have gotten on the road about two hours earlier this morning. Here it is, well after three p.m. and I am just getting in the groove. It is indeed cool out today, but I stop and shed one upper and one lower layer. My new Sierra Design water proof pants rip as I put them back on. I put a pair of shorts on over them to prevent wind from getting in the exposed area. No big deal, I got them from the Outdoor World in Dawsonville. Great folks and I am certain that they will take care of me when I get back.As I turn the corner from the South Fork and look down upon the river, I gaze across at some of the most beautiful farm land that I have ever seen. This is a whole new experience for me. A little dab of farmland in Tennessee/North Carolina. I love the openness. I love the farms and the cattle grazing and the horses running together. It is so pretty.Hiking up and down the ridgeline, I turn to my rear and look up at the massif snow covered peaks of Mount Rogers and Rhododendron Gardens. What an amazing area that is!!I was so blessed to walk across Mount Rogers last summer and experience some of the finest scenery and solitude that the south east can provide. I even hiked with a hernia, (although, I did not know that I had one at the time, I had a pretty good idea after about twenty miles.) The scenery up there in those parts of the mountains super ceded any pain that I may have been feeling.   My goal was to make it near the Middle Fork of the Holston River tonight, basically within arm¢s reach of Groseclose. Looking at the time, now after four, I have resided to take my time and get used to sixty or so pounds and walk to Partnership Shelter for the evening. It would be fair to say that on a Thursday night in the middle of February, that I may be the only inhabitant. I might just set that tent up inside the shelter and add some wind barrier and take advantage of the pay phone at the Mount Rogers Recreation Area and call Stephanie and get water out of the restrooms or some other source.Yeah, around five thirty I arrive at the shelter. Wow, a wonderful shelter. The volunteer clubs do an outstanding job providing hikers with shelters and this one is a beauty. In the summer, you can take a hot shower and clean your dishes around back in a sink.   There is a pond about one hundred yards down the slope to get water from. (As it turns out it is frozen solid-so no water from here tonight.)I get my tent set up with my sleeping bag and liner before it is completely dark. I put on some comfortable rubber type shoes and get out of my hiking shoes. My feet start to ache from the cold. Even with two pairs of socks on. Oh well, what are you going to do?Next, I walk to the water spicket, and pump for not too long. I fill up both bottles of water and then I call home. My thermostat says thirty degrees, but it is a cheapie from Wal Mart. Who knows, it gives you ¢generalities¢ and that will work for now.Stephanie is glad to hear from me but thinks that I am out of my mind to push ahead in February. The extra weight is going to be a solid challenge. I had better eat up tonight, so I can unload some goodies and drop that weight. When I checked the box at South Fork Holston Today (trail register) only one thru so far-- Lightfoot. I saw his name again tonight at the shelter. He is about two weeks ahead of here. Wow. I wonder if he started in December or if he is just really moving. My hat is off to him.I¢ll finish this evening off on my next entry.Thank you for taking the time to read my 2009 Section Hike.