Happy Mother’s day!
We left Uncle Johnny’s around 8:45am and ascended out of Erwin.
Leaving town with a full pack of resupply and a big climb has been tough sledding so far and today was no different. We had some cool morning sun as the storms of the last few days blew out.
We had a great lunch spot on a bald area called Beauty Spot Gap.
The biggest climb we had of the day was shortly after lunch on Unaka Mountain. There was no view, but the dense spruce forest on top was really cool. It looked creepy like something out of Game of Thrones.
Oh yea, we scored some trail magic at a gap earlier in the day from a fine trail angel named Rob who used to run a hostel up in the trail town of Dalton, Massachusetts. He retired recently down to Tennessee he said.
After Unaka we had one other cool view from the side of Little Bald Knob at the end of the day.
We hiked a couple more miles after that for a total of about 19.5 today. We camped out up above the gap on an old roadbed. Great weather today and more good hiking.
Tomorrow we summit the Roan Mountains, the aforementioned remaining southern 6000 footer. Should be another big day.
Vital stats :
Mood – positive
Physical state – tired and sore feet as usual
Smell – like a horse that’s on fire
Song stuck in my head – Mother Lover by Andy Samberg and JT and that other dude
Katie
We are really enjoying following
your. ” hike “. Norm and I are impressed with the amount of miles
you and Joel cover each day. Remember when you reach Manchester. VT we have a home cooked meal, showers and a washing machine waiting got you !!
Peggy Rickard
Thank you for the heads up about Uncle Johnny’s. We’re always looking for good 5-star places to stay! 🙂 Hope your climb today went well and you are staying safe. Your posts are awesome. Thank you for taking the time to let us hike with you (vicariously, of course). Still sending positive thoughts, prayers and lots of love.