Date: 2010-04-17
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: clear sky

Had some light showers during the night. Slim had to get up and put his tarp over the hammock. Also got very windy during the night.   Rolled out at 0730 to clearing skies and high winds. Not in a rush today so I take time to do a good hot breakfast. Gadget and Lucky roll in for a snack at 0845. Both are from Michigan and are thru hiking - about my age I think. So its "old folks doing stuff". Take that you young 'ns!   Everyone has moved on by 0915, except me. No rush to get to the 1000 feet of Apple Orchard Mountain. Thinking this will be my lsts big climb on this trip. Tops out at 4225 elevation, highest I've done this trip, I think. While leaving for trail at 0945, Appleseed and Branch, a very young couple, walk in looking for water. They caught and passed me on the lower section of Apple Orchard. A group of young folks from a church group, along with a couple of adults, arrived on Apple Orchard trail and started climbing the mountain behind me. Some passed me and others lagged behind. Turns out that the climb was pretty easy for me. Lot of switchbacks and steady grades- made for smooth hiking.   Made the summit around 1130. Winds were roaring at about 40 to 50 knots, but the sky was blue and temps are warming. Took some pics from the summit that was not blocked by the NOAA radar and FAA stuff. Really hazy out across the valleys, both north and south, but you could see for miles and miles. Moved on quickly to get out of the wind. Down the north side of Apple Orchard was more rocky and steeper than coming from the south. Went through a place called The Guillotine - a narrow passage between two rock ledges with a larger boulder wedged overhead in the opening. Wonder what happens when an earthquake shakes this spot????   Reached Thunder Hill Shelter at 1230 to find Appleseed and Branch doing lunch and reading. The church group arrives in full force at 1245, with a few stragglers coming in by 1300, mostly the adults. They finish lunch at 1330 and head out to their vehicles on the parkway, about a mile away. I start laying out my junk for the afternoon. A long one to sit around and read a little and then watch the woods. Only a few small birds about and maybe a chipmunk or two.   Monty and Ken arrive around 1900. Both are from Jackson, MS and are out for a few days hiking. Guessing they are in their 50's. Ken being the instigator of the trip as he has done sections up to this point, sorta like me. Both are or have been involved with Scouts, so we have common interests. Monty is overloaded with his pack for the 2 or 3 days they are out here -about 45 to 50 pounds I'm guessing. Ken has his a worked to a much lighter weight, about 35 i think. Anyway, they get settled and do some supper cooking while I lay back and try to stay warm. Lots of conversation about many subjects.   Here is the weather deal for the night - cold!!! You could feel it coming with the wind. I only kept one of my down quilts for this leg of the trip, so its my NeoAir and the one quilt to keep me warm tonight. Pretty sure I can get to 30* if I don't lose the quilt tossing and turning during the night. What the heck -go to sleep!.