Black Mtn Crest Trail & Big Butt(kikker) fall trip

“yes I am and thanks for keeping the blinds open. I always knew you were a prev but know you did that }:->

yeah we did but sigh you were gone”

“"Saturday is going to be a killer. Saturday may end up being harder than Friday."
- EarthNsky

The 3 souls hiking up from Carolina Hemlock are gonna love that! LOL!
If the weather turns ugly, and we're faced with a 16 mile hike, we may have to think of an option. I know I'll see you guys on Friday, but will someone be carrying a cell phone? I don't know if there is service up there (I have Verizon), but it would be good if we could contact someone Sat morning on our progress.

Oh, thanks for the info about the trails. I'll write it all down and go over the map. Compass will be in hand just in case. ;o)”

“You've Got Mail”

“Pennsy, I'll have my cell and Verizon works up on the ridge. WannaZ called me while we were hiking last time. lol I'll keep it on.”

“got it Blalock. thanks.

Weather is unpredictible up there though. I have gone up there with rain in the forecast two times and it stayed clear and dry the entire time. Last time I don't remember rain being in the forecast. Hopefully it will somehow be dry up there.”

“My bet that this is way worse. Dude you can't even see your feet or arms for miles!!! Everone must wear long sleeves and paints.( guess so it's going to be COLD) Those damn stinging nettels will sratch you bad!!!!!!”

“The Zippers on my pack are fixing to EXPLODE!!!”

“Wind 21 MPH
Gust 27.4
Temp 42 Deg
Wind Chill 22.6
Oct. 06 2004 @ 6:40 PM”

“there is a 19 degree windchill on Mt Mitchell right now and 30 mph wind. I think there is a small tropical depression going through right now. Maybe that will push out all of the bad weather and we will have good weather.

Alot of the brush will be beat down and maybe trail conditions will be better than they were in July. It's been cold up there over night and the frosts can kill the vegitation pretty quick. We'll see. I'm optimistic. I think this trip is going to be a good time.”

“no one is going to bale because of the weather right? I mean we all knew that it can get pretty cold and wet up there. Maybe even some snow. I'll take my rain pants. Dont' want to have wet cloth while hiking in the cold.”

“I know one thing is for sure. My sleeping bag is going to stay nice and dry on this trip. :) I may even break out the fleece for this one.”

“Gemini, do a mapquest search from your town to Burnsville, NC. The main roads will all be alright into Burnsville. Take US 19E east bound from Burnsville and turn right on to NC route 180. Carolina Hemlocks will be on the right. Watch for the signs.”

“I'm bringing out the fleece,tarp,rain gear,and down..I freeze out there..remember Mt.Rogers last year Gem? burrr

See ya tomorrow night Ewker..6ish”

“the elevation gain i posted for day two maybe high. Once we get to Mitchell, we'll still have alot of miles but most of the climbing will be done. There is only 1500 feet of gain after Mitchell and that is spread out over 9 miles.”

“Wind Chill 15.6 Deg at 8:00 PM.”

“yeah trekkngirl, I'll pack clothing like crazy too. Learned my lesson.

ens, if the main road is fine I should be okay. thanks :)

I am so excited. Can't wait to get there. I didn't tell hubby yet. lol...”

“it looks like my down parka will be making an early start this year. Gotta be warm in camp.

this was probably mentioned 1000 posts ago, but what's the water source situation?”

“Bison
EarthNsky
PhantomSoul
Blalock
Pennsy
trekkngirl
embear
yam
walkindude
Ewker
Gemini

This is what I have as the definites. Anyone in that list that shouldn't be or not on the list that should be?

This is probably my last post before next week. See everyone Friday morning.”

“Bring that 45 Deg bag, we'll use it for firestarter or something!!!!”

“Y'all don't freeze anything important off!”

“Water at Bolens Creek
Deep Gap
Big Tom Gap (small hike down Big Tom trail)
Mt. Mitchell (at the visitor center)
Balsam Gap

There maybe a few places in between Mitchell and Balsam Gap for water but I am not sure of that. They are getting some rain tonight so the springs should be flowing.”

“It may be quickest to go I-26 to US 74 to Forrest City, then north on US 221 to Marion. 221 Bypass around Marion and up NC 80. 80 was closed after Ivan but is open now. A friend in Columbia goes this way and says its faster then through Asheville”

“thanks, I may just do that then. I think I did drive like this last year. (dropping rox off at her house)

Not sure if it was faster back then, but it sure isn't gonna hurt.
last edited: 10/13/04 8:43:20 PM”

“Blalock, I think I will keep my 45° bag for another time.

I still hear they are calling for snow above the 4000' level.”

“guess it is time to start packing, cya the nashville group tomorrow night around 6:00 or so”

“Wind 29 Mph
Gust 45 Mph
Wind Chill 10 Deg
@ 5:00 AM”

“remember this song while climbing:



"what goes up, must come down...spinning wheels..."

it's in my head every single time I climb a mtn. wonder why that is... lol
last edited: 10/14/04 7:41:12 AM”

“Thanks, Gem!

Now its gonna be in mine, too. I'm not sure if the macarana is any better. lol!
last edited: 10/14/04 8:56:37 AM”

“wooohoo, is everyone ready. I packed last night and then again this morning. I will probably go thru it one more time this afternoon before we leave.

got check that forecast and see if I can leave something out.”

“Yeah Ewker, I think my pack weighs 100lbs. Can you carry it for me? :)”

“embear, I will pick it up and put it in the back of my Jeep, will that help

BTW you have mail”

“wooohoooo, the rain chance has been lowered to 30% or less for Friday. Windy though with gust up to 25 mph...that is at Burnsville, the higher up the winds increase and the rain decreases...slight chance of snow”

“Yay! I'm still bringing tons of warm clothes though. I hope we can have a fire.”

“we can build one in HArdee's parking lot tonight..lol”

“Alright kiddies, I'm on the road, about 40 minutes late, ETA at Hardees - Midnight.”

“Bison, see you at hardees sometime after midnight.”

“i changed to my golite backpack, not sure if that's such a good idea though. i have this pack already for over a year, but have never used it. really not sure if I should start now.”

“bad time to discover you don't like it gem. Good luck all you guys, my prayers are with you :o)”

“Y2, aren't you coming. Your sister Yam will miss you ;)
last edited: 10/14/04 6:23:30 PM”

“i am on my way now. still have to stop at the gear store.
oh, i changed back to my osprey pack. not taking any changes.”

“WHAT! Ynami isn't going? THAT's it. I'm not going either.

(no, really, gem, i'll see you tonight--drive safe)”

“lol, Yam, you've got to learn to move on. It's sad but you're with Embear now.”

“Home at last. Great trip, good to meet you all. What's up Pennsy??? Thank you 2 Socks for all of your support!!! To all that missed it, you missed it!!!!
last edited: 10/17/04 7:16:38 PM”

“I made it home in 6 1/2 hours, that's super fast.”