WREN Agent Hiking Appalachian Trail
Damascus VIRGINIA!
by Thomas Larkin on 05/06/13
Saturday, May 4, 2013:
Ron and Gee arrived at the shelter as I finished packing. We made the hike to the VA/TN border in a few hours and the last 4 miles to Damascus by noon. We were pleasantly greeted by some fellow hikers with trail magic- sodas and cookies. I had previously arranged for a room at the Dancing Bear B&B but was able to upgrade to a small apartment to share with Ron & Gee. The weather looks horrible for the next couple of days, so we are assessing our options as we wait it out for at least a day.
A "Nut" on the AT!?!?!?
by Thomas Larkin on 05/06/13
Thursday, May 2, 2013:
The morning started beautifully along the shores of Lake Watauga. The weather was ideal and views looking down on the lake were spectacular. My goal for the day was Iron Mountain shelter, 15 miles away. I reached the shelter at 5:00 PM and strangely there was one guy in the shelter and two campers. I set up my tent and prepared dinner. The guy in the shelter was acting very odd. Rocking back and forth as he read from a small book of verses in what appeared to be Spanish with a Russan accent. Subsequently, he began to imitate barnyard animals. Apparently this guy was nuts, so the other hikers and I broke camp, phoned a hostel and got picked up 5 miles down the trail. This turned into a 20 mile day. Friday I will hike 10 miles and camp, then Saturday I will walk 10 miles to Damascus, VA and wait out the anticipated rainy weather.
May Day!
by Thomas Larkin on 05/06/13Wednesday, May 1, 2013:
Today is Wednesday and so far the weather is perfect. I shuttled over to Hwy 321 at lake Watauga to slack pack southbound back to the Black Bear. Today's highlight was Laurel Falls, a huge body of water over 600 feet high and probably 100 feet wide. The cooling spray could be felt way downriver upon approach. I hiked 9 miles today and was back at Black Bear by 2:00pm. Tomorrow I resume northbound at Watauga Lake; my goal is 9 miles to Vanderventer Shelter and Damascus VA no later than Sunday.
Monday and Tuesday
by Thomas Larkin on 05/01/13
Monday and Tuesday, April 29 and 30, 2013:
With beautiful weather and full stomachs we hit the Trail about 10:00am. Ron wanted to get in 18 mi because the terrain was relatively easy. At 12 miles I was very tired, however today's scenery was magnificent with many waterfalls and overlooks. Good campsites were scarce or taken so I moved on until I came to Moreland Gap Shelter at 8:00 pm. Since I had stopped to eat on the trail, I just claimed space in the shelter with 2 other hikers and quickly fell asleep.
On Tuesday I hiked the 8 short miles to Dennis Cove Rd and was promptly picked up by Black Bear Hostel. Checked into a cabin, resupplied and ate in town. Arranged for a day of slack-packing from Watauga Lake on Hwy 321 back to my nice cabin 9 miles away. The weather looks good for the next 5 days! Next goal - Damascus, VIRGINIA!!!
Sunday, April 28
by Thomas Larkin on 05/01/13Sunday, April 28, 2013:
The clouds on Roan Mtn were weaping tears as Linda dropped me off. I'll miss her. Linda provided much trail mix as well as three fabulous meals for Ron, Gee and myself. It rained all day and the wind on the balds must have been gusting at least 50 mph. My poncho was more like a sail than a raincoat. The trail was muddy and like a stream in many places. My shoes were full of water in no time.
Coming down the back of the days hike was made more treacherous with the addition of rocks and boulders of all sizes as well as lots of gnarled roots. Anyway, I made it to Hwy 19 and the Harbor Mtn Hostel. Ron arranged for me to stay with him and Gee in the B&B, so my luck continues. In addition this place serves the best breakfast on the trail. Mary gets up at 4:00am to begin the pastries, lichens (WHAT?!?!?!), and other great stuff!
ps - talked to Dave today and he clarified what he had for breakfast.. It was quiche - not moss... Seems his spell checker doesn't recognize quiche!?!?!? [Tom]
Friday, April 26
by Thomas Larkin on 05/01/13Friday, April 26, 2013:
Carver Gap is just 1 mile from Roan High Knob shelter, the highest altitude shelter on the AT at 6194 ft. Actually this is a cabin and not a shelter. Linda met us once again at Greasy Creek Hostel, where we shared a couple of beers with Sparky and Violet before heading back to our cabin for pork chops and sweet potatoes. Saturday would be our last night in the cabin and I would hike from Greasy Creek back to Beauty spot Gap to fill in the skipped segment.
Backtracking
by Thomas Larkin on 05/01/13
Thursday, April 25, 2013:
Linda dropped me off at Beauty Spot Gap so that I could hike back into Erwin, TN. We met Ron Beckley and his 18 yr old daughter and invited them to join us in the cabin - they readily and gratefully agreed. Linda picked me up at Uncle Johnnies Hostel and we picked our friends up at Greasy Creek Hostel and drove back to the cabin at Roan Mtn State Park for a steak dinner. Everybody was happy with our best meal yet on the trail. The following morning we all hiked from Carver Gap on Roan Mtn back to Greasy Creek, after a magnificent omelet breakfast.
Erwin, TN
by Thomas Larkin on 04/24/13Wednesday, April 24, 2013 around noon:
Just arrived in Erwin, TN at Uncle Johnnies Hostel and Hiker Resupply after a quick 6 mile hike. Some beautiful views of the Nolichucky River. Will hang out here for a while then get a ride into town to meet Linda at the Rendezvous grill.
Easy Day
by Thomas Larkin on 04/24/13Tuesday, April 22, 2013:
Got up at 8:30 am, boiled water and ate my first self made hot breakfast in weeks - oatmeal and hot coffee. Dried the frost and condensation off my tent, packed up and hit the trail around 10:00. Was overtaken by a young couple known as "The Marathoners" because of the distances they travel each day. I left them at Hickory Hollow yesterday morning and they covered 32 miles in the same time I covered a decent 13 miles. I'm currently hanging out at the Bald Mountain Shelter (see pic on PHOTOS page) waiting for OB and Sparky. Both should be coming thru this evening.
Sparky arrived about 4:00 pm and explained where he had been. Two days ago when we separated he had lost the trail and wandered down a wash coming off the trail. As he surveyed his situation the ground gave way beneath him and he tumbled 15 feet off a cliff. Unable to climb out or find a quick way out; as well as being sore, bruised and tired he walked to the bottom of the hollow and pitched his tent. The next day he was able to get back on the trail several miles from where he left it. Now we have two days to find OB. I'm confident that when we get phone signals again, we'll have some word.
Northbound Again
by Thomas Larkin on 04/24/13
Monday, April 22, 2013:
Mark from Hemlock Hollow, dropped me off at Devils Fork Gap to renew my northbound journey. Like all gaps on the AT, the departure led uphill. Shortly after departure the path led past this nice waterfall (see pic on PHOTOS page). I'm trying to locate Sparky as we chose different options when the weather turned sour. Should be able to reconnect by Erwin, TN. When the miles were totaled today, I had added another 13. I'll sleep late tomorrow and wait for the sun to heat things up before I break camp and move on. The next shelter is only 5 miles away, so I'm not sure how far I will go. I may just rest.
