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3rd May 2002

From: Wise Shelter
To: Racoon Branch Shelter
State: SW Virginia
Miles: ? 506.1 (51.1)
Miles today: 17.5 miles
Weather: Rain & Wind

It's 12:30 P.M. and I've just stopped on the trail for lunch. There are a few birds twittering in the distance and a woodpecker getting stuck into a tree close by. There were only six of us at the shelter last night. Fortunately, it was a relatively new shelter with a wide overhang, as around 9:00 P.M., the howling wind and rains came and kept up all night. None of the shelter inhabitants got a drop on us; also we did not have any mice visit, which is unusual. The rain must have kept them at home.

I started out at 7:00 A.M. this morning and have covered some ground. The trail was covered in rocks for about six miles, which made for difficult going. After that, it has been a long climb for about two or three miles. I was socked in by low clouds until 11:00 A.M. Since then, it has lifted somewhat, although it's still rather cool; I estimate it's around 12 degrees Centigrade.

It's now 6:00 P.M. and I'm in the Raccoon Branch Shelter with Birch, Crankin' and Movin'. We are all in our sleeping bags as it's absolutely freezing. We didn't get to see the sun at all today.

Fairly easy hiking today, that's why I guess I covered so many miles. This morning on the trail I was about to step on a worm, so to save him, I moved him to the side of the trail with my hiking pole only to discover that he had eyes and four legs. I guess it must have been a salamander as I had seen a notice at Mt. Rogers about preserving their habitat. We don’t have these in Australia but I figure it's what every worm would aspire to be! I assume they are of the lizard family. This little guy was only about three inches long.

That's it for today, goodnight all.
-Downunda 

 

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