Day 26 – Erwin, TN to Iron Mountain Gap

Happy Mother’s day!
We left Uncle Johnny’s around 8:45am and ascended out of Erwin.

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Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel (5 stars)

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.

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Woods outside Erwin

We had a great lunch spot on a bald area called Beauty Spot Gap.

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Straight maxin' and relaxin' at lunch

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Beauteous

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.

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Picture doesn't really capture how dense it was

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.

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Cool dude, although he looks creepy in this picture hanging out in a white van. He wasn't creepy at all.

After Unaka we had one other cool view from the side of Little Bald Knob at the end of the day.

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Little Bald Knob looking back into Tennessee

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

2 thoughts on “Day 26 – Erwin, TN to Iron Mountain Gap

  1. Peggy Rickard

    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

    Reply
  2. Mom - Tapey

    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.

    Reply

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