Hiking from GA to NC is snow-joke...

3/9/08 - Woke up to his 2nd infamous organic breakfast & FINALLY left the Blueberry Patch! I bet Gary had to kick him out... (kidding, I know he was antsy to hike yesterday) He was dropped off at the trail around 10 am.

• Started hiking with Ron & finished with Riley, a rugby player from Brown University.
• Very snowy in the mtns - especially along the north-facing slopes that didn't see the sun today. Said he had to trudge through some fairly deep drifts.
• Knee hurts ALOT - under the knee cap. Says it feels horrible going up and down hills with his pack on but it feels fine when walking around camp. Probably not going to hike more than 14 mi tomorrow. Took some vitamin I to alleviate the pain (which I've learned is his pet name for Ibuprofen).
• Hiked 17 mi to the Standing Indian Shelter. Staying with Ron, Riley, The General, and some other guy whose name he can't quite remember...
• It's going to be REALLY cold tonight - in the low 20's. He said his nose is frozen & he won't write in his journal because he refuses to take his hands out of his gloves!
• Looking forward his 1st big climb above 5000 ft tomorrow! Please pray for that knee!