Rogers and Pine Mts, Troutdale mail pickup.

Oh, what a cold morning. I looked around outside and everything had a beautiful but chilling layer of clear ice on it. Everything except the earth itself and boulders large enough to retain the previous days heat. The blowing clouds had condensed and frozen on everything in their path. It was a chilling 20 degrees out. No wonder I did not want to leave my warm sleeping bag - but I knew I had to. I got out my map and studied my options as the wind screamed by. I dressed in layers - my wool cap to hold in my head's heat, then a poly T-shirt, brushed nylon shirt, wool shirt and light nylon parka/windbreaker and my brushed nylon pants. And, I would take the gloves that someone had so kindly left on the back wall of the shelter for me.

Frozen Clouds (Ice)-coated Spruce tree near Thomas Knob Shelter, Mt. Rogers, VA

There was a quick way down from the mountain's ridge - a blue blaze that went along Pine Mountain, rejoining the AT just above the Old Orchard Shelter, 1500 feet lower than Thomas Knob. (Still it was at 4000 feet elevation, but not in the open.) I would go there and decide my next move. As long as I kept moving I was warm enough. The trail-magic ski gloves were a much-needed blessing. Because of the blue blaze, I would miss the ponies and Grayson Highlands but I would be off the ridge and its high winds. The Pine Mountain Blue Blaze went through open scrub pine and large rock formations.

Without the proper gear the low temperature and high wind combination was life threatening. Fortunately, even though packing for spring weather with a minimalist lightweight pack and gear, I had enough of the right kind of clothes to stay warm and safe, even comfortable at these temperatures. I was at the very low end of my limit, however. I kept my heavier fleece jacket dry and available for when I stopped moving. That and another dry nylon long sleeve shirt and another pair of pants was my total reserve of clothing.

I hiked out to Route 603 where I got a ride into Troutdale, picked up my mail drop, ate a huge burger and got two more to go, then got another ride back to the trail. My pack was much heavier now, with a little extra food in it. At Dickey Gap, I met a day hiker on her way to meet her husband, slackpacking southbound. I dropped some extra food off at Raccoon Branch shelter and we met her husband Alan, a retired dentist from Maine hiking the trail in casual segments with support form his wife. They were really nice folks. Then I pushed on to Trimpi shelter, arriving at dusk. A beautiful thicket of lush forsythia in blossom decorated the area. The day "warmed up" to about 30 degrees, but that was it. It was moderate trail with only gradual 800 foot and 600 foot climbs and over 2800 feet in total descent and nearly 9 miles of easy, level walking.

The water was just a trickle at the shelter, but it was enough. I couldn't find the privy - or maybe there wasn't one. Funny, the deluxe shelter included a built-into-the-shelter fireplace, but no privy? I was no stranger to using the woods as our ancestors had. My cold burger supper tasted great. I barely had time to get my bedding arranged before dark. It cooled off fast after sunset. I put my tent over my sleeping bag again. I knew I was in for another cold night. I slept well, alone at the shelter.