Date: 2006-06-01
From: Day 15-Carter Gap Shelter to Wallace Gap

To: Day 15-Carter Gap Shelter to Wallace Gap
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: scattered clouds

June 1, 2006 CARTER GAP SHELTER TO WALLACE GAPDay 15. Carter Gap Shelter to Wallace Gap (12.8 miles)This is the big day¢¦Albert Mountain! This mountain is THE most difficult mountain in North Carolina. At least it is the one I have heard about the most. It has a very steep top and serious climbing is necessary to reach the top. It¢s not a stroll. So, as we were hiking, we were considering our options when we got to Albert Mountain. If we thought the Trail was too difficult for us, there was a by-pass trail available. But, we didn¢t really want to miss the summit! We reached Mooney Gap, which is 4.6 miles, with little trouble. The next half mile had some very difficult climbing sections and it was hard for me to know where to put my foot next as I negotiated the rocks. Then we reached Bear Pen Trail, and there was a gravel road at this spot. We decided to stop here for lunch and a serious break before we attempted the peak. As soon as we stopped, I ate my jelly beans, cookies and high sugar/high energy food. That¢s what I always do as soon as we stop. The sugar has a chance to kick in before we finish our break. The rest of the meal consisted of Slim Jim sausage sticks, crackers and a protein bar. According to the Trail Guide, in the next 3/10 of a mile, the Trail vertically rises 460 feet. This portion of the Trail has a series of very steep steps cut into the mountain, with logs placed for tread, followed by a series of very nasty rocks ¢ no trail ¢ just rocks! Sometimes it was necessary for me to use my hands to grab trees (or anything else that would support my weight) and pull myself up to the next foothold.   We kept thinking we would come to the by-pass and have to make a decision as to whether or not we could make it to the summit. Lo and behold, after one final very steep hand over hand climb, the Trail suddenly leveled out and we were at the summit! Never did see that by-pass trail! It was totally exhilarating! A chill literally ran up my spine. It made the effort worthwhile. We walked between some rhododendron bushes out onto a rocky outcropping where we could see forever! It was not a crystal clear view, but rather typical Smokey-mountain view with lots of haze. We walked on a little ways and came to a lookout tower and the official National Survey Medallion that marked the peak. From here we both called our wives to celebrate our accomplishment. All good things must come to an end, so we began our descent. Compared to the climb, the descent was a walk in the park. It was a nice wide trail that went generally downhill for the next 6.5 miles. However, we crossed one area called Glassmine Gap, important because at this point we had covered 100 MILES! We stopped to celebrate and take photos. We reached the Rock Gap Shelter at about 5:00 p.m. We discovered that old US64 was just a half mile away and from there we could call Ris«. She could come and get us, we could spend a comfortable night at the motor home and Denley could get some relief for his burning feet. We saw Pooh Bear while at Wallace Gap. She was a young woman who had begun her walk of the AT four years ago in Maine. She was on her way to Springer Mountain where she would finish ¢ only a hundred miles to go! She was excited!!When we reached the highway at Wallace Gap, we discovered that there was no signal for our cell phones. The solution was to walk down old US64 to Standing Indian Campground, and from there use the pay phone to call Ris«. She arrived an hour later, we went into Hiawassee for dinner and back to the comfort of our little motor home.