These have been the best days of hiking yet. The weather broke late Thursday night leading to a great Friday morning. Started the day with a climb of roan mountain. It was a tough climb, but the view from where the old cloudland hotel was spectacular. The old hotel, now less than a ruin, used to service gentleman and their families during the summer months at the end of the 19th century.
After lunch at the top of roan, Willie and I started an ascent of the humps - little and big. This area looked a lot like Wales. There was nothing at all but miles of grass covered mountain as far as I could see. Great weather and great scenery abounded. Ended the day at the Doll Flats (388.9).
Woke up super early after troubled sleep. There were dogs barking near our site, late hikers coming into camp, and a freak windstorm in the middle of the night. We got up early to make it to an all you can eat diner breakfast. Turns out that the diner was closed on a fluke. Sometimes changes are good though. Due to this change, we caught trail magic and a place called bob's dairyland. I was able to eat the following: a big western omelette, three pancakes, a biscuit, two pieces of pizza, a six inch sub, a pint of ice cream, and some trail mix. Got to love some trail magic :D
Rest of the day was relaxed. Hiked about 9 miles to mountaineering shelter (400.7). Passed a bunch of people hiking 30 miles for cystic fibrosis. For the first time, we passed a river. Got to wash some clothes and get my feet wet.
Looking forward to tomorrow. Thinking of putting about 18 miles in tomorrow.
Haha, more windstorms. Did you think it was a bear tearing into the tent again?
ReplyDeleteThat is a truly impressive amount of food, sir. Dairylands are the best! They lifted my spirits more than once on my trip.
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