Roan High Knob shelter, 6,194ft.

In 2000 I hiked this section, finishing the last pieces of the trail I hadn't done since 1982. My friend Sunnie had dropped me off south of here so I could walk back to Kincora hostel, and then return north. I walked up Roan Mt. from the south, encountering a family who had taken the wrong trail back to their car. The husband with baby on his back had turned around to climb back up Roan and return with their car to rescue the wife and 3 other kids. I got to the top without seeing the husband, and borrowed a phone to call the local sheriff to check up on the family to make sure they were picked up, since the sun had set. I went on to this shelter, the former fire warden hut, as the full harvest moon rose, blood red.



As I approach shelters I always call out a hello, to avoid surprising anyone. I went into the cabin, and was looking out this window when I saw Rodney appear in the dusk.




Sunny had found Rodney at a hostel in Hot Spring after dropping me off, this three years after he disappeared in 1997, told him where I was and that she was going to make sure we reconnected, and driven him to Roan.

Today I spread the last of his ashes near this shelter where I saw him through the window in 2000.

Hump Mt. to Jane Bald

Quite a contrast over the last two days. Morning rain and humidity yesterday turned quickly to clear sky, then giving way to clouds and cold wind in the afternoon, climbing Hump Mt.






Last night I was in Overmountain shelter, elevation 4,654ft., actually just an old barn. Saw the full moon rise, but then everything was engulfed in clouds. Wind roared all night, with freezing temps, and 2 inches of snow. Snow mist blew in through the walls, coating everything. Water bottles were iced up by morning, so it was a slow start getting moving in the bitter cold. Then up to the ridge through hoar frost and ice, over Jane Bald this morning.

3 miles from Mountaineer shelter

Nice bench on the trail with view of tomorrow's climb, Hump Mt. and the balds beyond it. Hope weather holds: just showers in am, turning colder, but at least for now not predicting snow.



Stayed at Kincora hostel last night, where I stayed in 2000. Lots more blowdowns (snowdowns?) blocking the trail again today.

Post-Damascus update

Here are some more photos from Damascus.
I met up once again with Nubbins (who I met in April and she spoke with Rodney at Matt's Creek; I also saw her on Katahdin)



At the Mt Roger's outfitter they had a pair of Grandma Gatewood's sneakers.



Crazy Larry with his helper Corey.

Lake Watauga TN

Surprised to have service, not quite midday and need to push on, but here's the weather report:



And it's bear season, lots of hunters, lots of gunfire, and some hunters use dogs with radio collars.

Trail Town

Damascus is known as Trail Town: not only does the AT go down its main street but it's the terminus of the VA Creeper trail, and the "national bike trail" (Bikecentenial trail) goes through here as well. There are at least 4 bike rental outfitters here.



No snow yet this morning, but cold. I'm happy to stay another day here at Crazy Larry's and let the snow at elevation melt while I rest, read and eat.

Snow (zero) day

2-3 inches of wet snow were on the ground at 6am as the 2 Larrys and I went to the grocery store. But it changed to light rain and it warmed up enough to melt much of it in town. After chocolate chip pancakes we went to a police auction of old equipment, seized vehicles, and random stuff in the town park -- 5 slightly used police bicycles caught my eye. Spent the rest of the day resting and reading, while Crazy Larry made 16 bean soup and cornbread for our dinner, the perfect comfort food for such a drear day.

Forecast calls for snow showers tonight and tomorrow morning, and then a warming trend, in the 60's by Tuesday.