Standing Indian Shelter
Today I awoke to temps in the 20s again. A brisk push to pack up camp and get out on the trail warmed me up and we got rolling.
Today was a long distance and cold day but by the end I think could have easily hiked another 4-5 miles if there was light.
It was quite an eventful day! First off I finished a state, Georgia. The border had a tree with a sign and we, Bowser and Kevin, stopped for photos. The traditional boundary however is Bly Gap were there is an old gnarly oak tree that is truly beautiful. The tree was in a clearing affording us some nice views and warm sun which we were happy to enjoy during lunch.
My first introduction to North Carolina was a brutal climb but after that things got more sane.
In NC the terrain had more gradual climbs but it makes up for that by rockiness and muddiness. We also now are general staying above 4000' and peaking over well over 5000'.
Despite the weather getting better (getting out of the 30s) the north sides of the mountains we still frozen solid. One of the side effects was these odd but gorgeous ice crystals that grew straight up out of the mud. Some got as long as 6" and looked like bean sprouts without the leaves.
As the day drew to an end I made a push for the Shelter. As I hiked I swore a couple times I heard Johnny Cash singing. When I would stopped clanking away at the trail to listen I couldn't hear him. Finally I come into the road crossing where there is a stereo playing Cash. Also Paddy'O and Pedro with some serious trail magic. All you could eat cookies, chips and dips, gorp, etc. They also had all you could drink Gatorade, pop, and beer. It was a party! I hung out chatting and eating for what seems like and hour. Paddy'O thru hiked last year and was paying his trail magic forward. I stayed until being in the shade caused me to shiver badly and I had to generate some heat hiking.
When I get to the shelter find trail magic heppening from an unrelated group of CastAway and Rin Tin Tin. They had a campfire going. They also had hauled up a barbecue and a mini keg of beer. They had brats and pork chops going and even had veggie chicken patties!! Yum. As all this was happening and fellow thru hiker, Ziplock took out his guitar and played by the fire.
This night was pure magic!
1 comment:
Wow, I can't believe it. You're actually getting spoiled out there! Beer and cookies and chips, oh my!
Post a Comment