Date: 2006-04-06
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

6 Apr 2006 - Destination: Cornelius Creek Shelter (5.0 miles)I left the Bryant Ridge Shelter about 09:30. Early on Dean and four kids passed me, then I accidently got off the trail because I followed a straight path alongside the creek past the intersection where the trail actually turned left. I did not see the blaze and followed the creek until a switchback and just a blue blaze. At that point I realized I was off the trail and walked back, about 300 feet, and found the missed blaze, where the trail turned left. It was a typical trail, and with fairly uneventful long stretches, one of which was an old fire road. While following the fire road, I did not see the trail turn, and walked over some barrier branches on the road and continued up it about 0.5 miles until I realized I had not seen a blaze in a while, and that on the trail, one does not usually need to duck under branches and vines. I backtracked and successfully found the sharp left hand turn of the trail that I had missed and kept walking up Floyd Mountain. Tyler and the "fast group" of Elk folks made the same mistake and walked a lot further than I did, going on to where they intersected human habitation.12:01 39327 - I just got passed by Curtis, going up from Tyler's group. It is a very lovely and a very exhausting hike during a beautiful day. I seem to have been blessed by many perfect hiking days, and boy I am NOT complaining, given the situation. I am a little bit sweaty from the hike up here. I don't know if I've reached the top of Floyd Mountain, but I've certainly reached a crest.Gorp is very very down. I just have one bag in my pocket, and one in the pack. I've got the little stove working and had three packets of oatmeal this morning. I've given away all my hot chocolate. Tonight at Cornelius Creek Shelter will be the last night we are together, since they are going to go beyond the Thunder Ridge Shelter tomorrow to the Thunder Ridge Overlook, where they will go home.13:09 39550 - A thru hiker passed me a few minutes ago. He started in the middle of February (16th? 18th?) in Georgia. Tyler passed me, leaving the last 4 kids to come up in their own time. About 15:15 I caught up with him as he was taking a pack off power bar break. I joined him for a while, until the last four kids caught up, and they all took off and went ahead. They really are moving faster than I am.13:55 39550 - I am on another crest, significantly higher than the last one. Just walking along, normal pace, rest every 50 or 100 steps, daydreaming about her. Beautiful day, enjoying a very slight breeze, everything's normal.14:55 39550 - On another crest, absolutely heading down.Bowed by the weight of his supplies, He leansUpon his poles and sees only the groundThe agony of hiking on his faceAnd on his back, his life support system.with apologies to Edwin Markham. More to come on this.15:37 39550 - I think I just passed the peak. I hope so. It looks like it is all down hill from here, at least in the local region. And boy, that peak was a difficult one for me, with the trail making some 100% grades during the ascent. On the other hand, I'm kind of proud of myself as I was doing one hundred steps up on some of those and kept on going, so perhaps I am getting in better shape. I got into the shelter a little after 17:00. The Elks folks had a hot fire going.This is a standard design shelter with a place for a fire, an uncovered table and a well hidden privy about 150 feet to the right. It is located not far from the trail, but can not be seen from the trail because of a knob.In the morning, one of the kids gave me four sticks of fire starter that they would not be using, and we said our goodbyes, since they are not stopping at the next shelter, but going on for pickup. It has been a pleasure to be with these folks. I passed on some thoughts to Tyler and Dean, that they might consider having their charges be a part of the local ATC club and help with trail maintenance. I also suggested that they could use some of the hiking time to actually explore the areas around them, and used the illustration of tree ring counting for forest age, and climate related ring widths. They thought the ideas were good and said they would suggest them to their supervisor.