July 4th Black Mountain Ball Breaker

“The dates of the trip will be from Saturday, July 3rd, camp in Deep Gap Saturday night and then finish hike Sunday, July 4th. I have off from work on Monday, July 5th. On Friday the 2nd, I am going to leave work immediately when I get done and drive down to Burnville, NC. I think Burnville would be a good place to meet. and then we will move the cars around to the respective trailheads. Maybe leave some cars at the summit of Mt. Mitchell since that is in the middle of the hike.”

“18 miles for a one-nighter?

Do you plan to camp there Sunday night?”

“Yeah, car camp in Black Mtn Campground.”

“OK

A few beers and a lay-over would be nice after that kinda ass-kickin'.”

“car camp friday night in Burnville.”

“most definitely.”

“then all of Monday to absorb the drive.”

“Nice trip name, it'll keep the wimps from showing up!

lol”

“What, no chicken hawks?”

“I hear the climb down from Winter Star is pretty steep. I guess it's good we are going down Winterstar instead of up. Then we will be in Deep Gap where we camp and we can rest. The catch is you have to climb down a cliff to get water, unless there is rain sometime just prior to the hike, then there is a small stream right near camp, just down an old logging road.”

“if you like to feel sore when you get done with a backpack, this is a good one.”

“I'm sore just reading about it.”

“a little pain makes you feel like you really did something!”

“I have more pain from the downhill stuff.

That sounds like the Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon......seven miles and 5,000+ feet with maximum load/six days food.”

“my boys are ready for some bustin

bring it on!”

“to train for this hike I will take the stairs to my office instead of the elevator. eleven floors.”

“I am still in.”

“but... I don't have a single ball to break.”

“I hope bitpusher doesn't see that last post...”

“I'm looking to come down Thursday night or Friday morning.”

“not going to pack your bowling ball gemini?”

“I'm not getting there until late friday. I have to work friday. There is plenty of hiking around there though. Lots to do.”

“it seems that effective this trip I will be Mudswimmer”

“why wait, just go ahead and change your name now.”

“where is the meeting place and time?”

“I think we should meet at Mt. Mitchell State park at the park ranger station at 8am”

“It is on NC 128 a few miles from the summit.”

“Friday?”

“never mind, Saturday, ok, too many dang threads.

lol”

“i am a 100%...nope make that a 101%. ranger station sounds good to me. 8 am?? dang...I have to drive like 5 or 6 hours dude... I guess I'll have to leave friday night.”

“I'll be leavin Fri night too, well afternoon at least.

Is there somewhere to camp close to there? even stealth camp?”

“roam, we should meet up friday afternoon or so...”

“there is a campground on the summit of Mt. Mitchell, there is Carolina Hemlocks and Black Mtn campground and also Camp Alice (you have to hike to camp alice).”

“Maybe we should plan to meet somewhere and drive into one of those campgrounds.

I'll be coming right through Columbia on my way up.”

“Hey! I'll have to come down Friday night as well. Somebody wanna reserve a spot? I'm excited about this trip.

Sods Fest and then this. WooHoo!!!!”

“Actually JO, this is first, THEN the Sods Fest.

Wouldn't want you to show up at the wrong place on teh wrong weekend.,, lol”

“Roam

Check your dates ....Sods Fest in June, Smokies in July.

:)”

“oh geez, your right, i got confused, sorry”

“roam...that would be great. family isn't home so I am ready to leave anytime you like.”

“Gemini...are you coming to Sod Fest too?”

“sods?? i need to check my dates. I don't think so though”

“opps, yes I do :)”