Date: 2021-08-27
From: CarverÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

Last night Quiksilver and I spent 15 minutes looking at the Guthook app, finding campsites and water sources, talking about resupply options and mile goals as we push 120 miles in six days over the Roan Highlands into Hot Springs, NC. We agreed on a tentative plan to accomplish this goal. This morning as I sat looking at the $13 breakfast that Mountain Harbor laid out for us, I turned to Quiksilver and said: ¢I think we need to slack pack today back to the hostel and eat here again.¢  It took him about .3 seconds to agree and just like that we booked a second night and a shuttle ride out to the trail to make this new plan happen. I love being flexible!  Seriously though, the spread they set out for their guests (hikers and their B&B guests) would easily - EASILY - run $35 in your finer hotels and it¢s be worth it. So, score one for the nerds, I got roped in. Now I also had about half a dozen sound rationalizations (you¢re not the only one, Curt) that backed this decision to slack pack: We can stretch our food to Hot Springs and avoid paying for a shuttle resupply, this sets up the mileage nicely to do the 120 miles we planned, my broken pack has hurt my shoulder so a day of slacking would help, we¢d lock in great morning weather for the hike over the Highlands, we¢d reestablish NOBO cred, etc. But, truly, it¢s the breakfast. After getting dropped off at Carver¢s Gap at 9:30 we DID have awesome morning weather and views for miles and miles and miles. This section of trail straddles the Tennessee/North Carolina border and is breathtaking when the weather cooperates. We unhurriedly clicked off the miles, and after the last few days of ¢green-tunneling¢ it was nice to be out in the open air and sun. We did a side trail to the old Overmountain Shelter to take in the iconic red barn (closed due to structural issues) and the privy with no walls of roof but with a king¢s view from the throne. We met a first time backpacker there who was playing his guitar well (not always the case!) and setting up camp for the day. I may or may not have partaken of the throne view, but the break was nice regardless. *Side Note*. The Overmountain shelter is named for the Overmountain trail which passes nearby which is named for the Overmountain Men who participated in a key revolutionary war battle. Look it up. It¢s a heckuva yarn!We then had two climbs up Little Hump Mountain and Hump Mountain - two balds with more incredible views. It got pretty hot and muggy in the afternoon, but only carrying 4lbs of gear does wonders for one¢s outlook. On the descent back down to Rte 19E Quiksilver placed a losing bet that we were going to get rained on.  So back at the hostel I enjoyed a free Two-Hearted ale - victory beer is sweet beer!Talked with some section hikers here at the hostel and someone who is actually a professional puppeteer who works on off-Broadway shows in NYC.  I may have mentioned this, but people do lead interesting lives. So come morning, I¢ll Nerd it up to the max before hitting the trail once more, hoping to hike about 22 miles.The good lord (and cell service) willing, I¢ll be back tomorrow night with another post from the trail.