Trail Journal 04.25.02

A ferocious thunderstorm struck the [Mt Collins] shelter area last night.  Rain poured down heavy for over two hours beginning about 1:00 am.  I could almost see a wall of water outside the shelter in the dark.  Maybe I did.  Lightning was striking within a mile of the shelter.  Morning dawned foggy and wet.  Maybe still raining but enough was blowing off the trees (and still on everything) to get us quite wet.  Went out at 8:42 in full rain gear.  Trail was sloppy and wet.  It was hard going--no morning pick-me-up.  Got to Newfound Gap around 11:00.  Whisper and Lightfoot were trying to figure out which direction to Gatlinburg.  Caught up with Red and Gary at Icewater Spring Shelter but they left soon after.  Lunch break with Radar and Pushing Up Daisies.  PM hike went along an exposed outcrop with tremendous view west (but for the fog).  Much of the PM was spent walking along a razor's edge of a ridge.  Sun came out in mid PM offering some fine views in either direction.  Walked strong.  Covered 16 miles in seven hours.  Got in to Pecks Corner Shelter at 1545.