Date: 2013-04-29
From: Hemlock Hollows Hostel

To: Flint Mountain Camp
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We pack up, load into the truck then Dwight brings us back to Hemlock Hollow. Quick breakfast there then he shuttles us back to the trail head where we take a photo, say our goodbyes then start the gradual climb in the cool, damp but sunny morning. Up to Camp Creek Bald lookout tower, we can climb up steps and see one direction but the hut at the top which has a panoramic deck is padlocked. Across ridge to Blackstack cliffs, here we join Timone and sit on the rock outcrop and look at an approaching cloud ceiling at our elevation in front of us. We could see the big dark shadow it casts on the valley below as it passes above it. As it gets closer the views turn more foggy until we are surrounded by a cool curtain of white mist slowly marching around and past us. We comment about what a magical look and feel this moving cloud has. We can hear each others voices, but only see white though we are not far apart. The cloud moves further behind us to reveal the sun and a clear blue sky which now lights up the hills and valley in front of us. We move on, trail brings us to the ridge top where we can see to the left and right when openings in the brush and rocks allow us. At a viewpoint not far ahead, we pull off to the left of the trail and stop for lunch on some flat ground and rocks on the edge of the ridge before it sharply slants downwards, I have my tortillas, Klement's summer sausage and pepperjack cheese. Eat with the sun to our backs and enjoy the view. Trail gets rocky and slow moving at times and tiring. The terrain here is a stack of white boulders, makes for uneven, unlevel steps. A blue blaze side trail bypasses this area which is exposed and dangerous in severe weather, we continue on the AT to Big Firescald knob. Then a snack break at Jerry Cabin shelter where Scavenger and Timone are finishing their snack and moving on. Eat a zone bar, gather water and move on. Later we come upon a giant rock slab that protrudes from the ground off to the right. has near vertical sides with a crack down the center. Scavenger is on the other side of it with his pack resting at its base. He says he is an avid climber and will free climb up some 30 plus feet to the top. We move on, reach Big Butt Mountain, jokes about the name are mandatory. Further along is an old marked grave site before the trail turns steeply downhill on gravel and dirt road. I descend quickly and pull way ahead. Trail narrows with rhododendron to the left and right, i reach the bottom where there is a stream then a farm on slanted land. I soon realize I was so preoccupied with descending quickly and managed to get off the trail at some point. I backtrack up the steep hill, around a ravine to the right, a wild turkey startles me as it runs across the trail. Path curves along to the left, after climbing up and around I see the back of a sign and a small footpath to the right. Sign marks where AT leaves the dirt road and angles off into forest. So concerned with my footwork and stoney terrian going downhill, I missed this sign while looking down at the ground in front of me. Flint Mountain shelter just passed the gap is full. Timone is there, said Hawk and Roadrunner asked if I had passed thru there already. He told me they moved up a mile ahead to a small camp near a spring since the shelter was full. I reach the site, not much flat ground really, mostly sloping. Set up quickly as its late and getting dark. on other side of trail is a wood sign on a tree that reads "Water". Someone wrote "My Ass" under it. I go downhill to the spring and see that it is slow dripping and takes a long time to collect enough to use. Make dinner, hang bear rope, then off to sleep in my tent which sits at an angle.