Date: 2005-04-19
From: Greasy Creek Friendly

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

April 19, 2005End ¢ Overmountain Shelter   376.7   14.7Begin ¢ Greasy Creek Gap 362.0We woke up early and started getting ready for the day. Breakfast was soon to be served by CeeCee at Greasy Creek Friendly hostel. Vision Quest had made it in late last night and the three of us, Halfway, Vision Quest and me, shared the little cabin out back of the house. At 6 am promptly the racket began across the road. Our neighbor began starting up the lawn mower engine and any other engine he could find to make noise. That not being enough he started throwing large stones into the bed of his pick-up truck. Anything to disturb us hikers. But the racket did not even phase us. We went right on packing, had breakfast and got ready for the day. Roan Mountain was ahead of us for the hike today. Halfway was having problems with his shin splints and I had hiked this trail about 20 years ago, and my goal of hiking the AT completely in one year was out the window anyway, so we talked to Pack-Rat and he said he would shuttle us up to Carvers Gap which is on the other side of Road Mountain. This sounded good to us. So my mileage reads 14.7 just to keep the record straight of where we are on the trail. We actually only hiked about 5.0 miles for the day. I plan to return one day soon and actually hike this area I skipped.    The drive was a twisty one up to Carvers Gap and it gave Pack Rat a chance to tell us the history of how they came to buy this hostel and get the place started. He and his wife are very good to hikers and I recommend this place to all who pass that way.    The morning was passing quickly and it was about 11 am when he let us out at Carvers Gap and we started hiking. The day was beautiful. Carvers Gap is at TN143/NC261 and about 5512¢ elevation. There were restrooms there and water fountains. So we got ready for the trail. We climbed up to Round Bald (5826¢) and Jane Bald (5826¢) both with vistas. Along the way I met two hikers and of course we got into a conversation. They were from Johnson City, TN and we got to chat for a long way. About 2:15 we got to Stan Murray Shelter (5050¢) and I had in my Thru-Hikers Handbook not to stop there but to keep going to Overmountain Shelter. So we did arriving there about 4:30.    We were greeted at Overmountain by Double Healer. This area is beautiful, see my photos, and Double Healer had liked it so much that he took a zero day there spending two nights. He showed us how to pick ramps and how to cook with them. They were in abundant supply near the shelter and added a lot to our cooking. This shelter is a big red barn and about 40 can sleep upstairs. But we slept on the platform on the lower level. Before sunset rain began and when it stopped we were treated to a beautiful display of a double rainbow. The shelter looks out on a valley and you can see where the trail climbs the mountain off to the left. There is a good water supply nearby and this is the finest place to spend the night.    On the wall is a plaque that tells of the relocation in the trail. We will strike out tomorrow for another hostel which is really Mountain Harbour B & B. Double Healer kept us entertained that evening with stories and jokes.