Sunday, May 9, 2010

Day 26: Cold and Bald




Woke up to a frosty shelter and a frozen water bottle. The thermometer read 30, and we all believed it. Backwards came downstairs (he was the only one who stayed up in the loft), and we all cooked warm breakfasts with our sleeping bags on. Hard to get moving when it's so cold, though we all know that moving is what will help the most!

Powder and Russell took off early and, about 40 minutes later, Backwards was off, too. We three DC kids strapped on our packs and left 10 minutes later around 9. We were going to try to make it a long day, but there was much talk about a hostel off US 19 that had a fanTAStic breakfast... We were thinking about it... But first we had to hike.



Downhill through the frosty trees and bits of snow in the air... Then up over the first blustery bald. Then down, then up over another. We caught up with Backwards at the next shelter, and we all had a snack (mostly of his huge bag of peanut M&Ms, yum). We found out via southbounders that there was a HUGE trail magic "party" at the Overmountain shelter - the one that Brian and Xan were pushing on to... Apparently there was chili and grilled cheese and beer and chicken and who KNOWS what else. We were all a bit bummed that we had missed it, but kind of excited at the thought of such amazing fun. (I hope Xan and Brian got in on that action!) We hiked on with Backwards (me with three guys again!!), and when we passed the turnoff for Overmountain shelter, I just haaaad to go check it out to see if there were leftovers, even though it was .3 miles off the trail. I just had to see! Robert/Iron Horse was going to press on at his pace and let us catch him, so Adam, Backwards and I headed down.

There was no chicken, but there was a bag of baby carrots, two large bags of raw peanuts, four rolls of TP, a few grapes, and eight cucumbers. Leftovers score! We ate from the remaining selection (and read a very interesting shelter register entry about a guy seeing himself dancing in the flames of the fire) before another group of hikers came by for a break. We got on our way with bellies full of semi-random treats (and a pocket full of peanuts for Robert/Iron Horse), and we caught up with Robert/Iron Horse who had stopped for a lunch break. He was surprised there had been food but grateful he didn't go out of his way for cucumbers.



We stopped with him for a few minutes before the push over the final balds of the day. Good climbs and BEAUTIFUL 360 views! Very blustery and strong winds, but gorgeous. Robert/Iron Horse caught up and kept going while Adam, Backwards and I took another break to take it all in. It was another "day of a hundred breaks."

When we caught up again, Robert/Iron Horse was leading the way downhill through the roots and rocks towards US 19. By now, we were sold on the idea of tenting at the hostel and joining in on the fab breakfast in the morning. Long downhill cruise (Robert/Iron Horse had hit his stride by now!) and we made it to the hostel around 6:30. Threw our stuff down to catch a ride to the Subway, and there were many familiar faces filing out of the sandwhich shop to get a ride back. Powder was one of them, and he was the main salesman of the hostel/breakfast, I think...

We feasted on subs and picked up a few snacks before calling for a ride back. Sticks and Bones showed up at the Subway and we sold them on the breakfast, too. They got a return ride with us. Back at the beautiful homestead, we all set up camp, cleaned up and soon started chatting and snacking. Lots of kids tenting, so many will be at breakfast. Backwards, Adam, Robert/Iron Horse and I crushed a slab of Oreos and milk and a few Oatmeal cream pies and joked it up - mostly listening and laughing at Robert/Iron Horse's hilarious stories... Good times. The temperature is dropping, but I doubt there will be snow in the morning (frost...?). I can't wait for breakfast!!! It should be like Blueberry Patch all over again!

(15.9)



-- Posted from the trail...

Location:Mountain Harbour B&B / Hostel

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