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

“thanks Blalock, I'll have to call about that.”

“ENS, was that the map you are looking for?”

“ENS, was that the map you are looking for?”

“no one answered the phone when I called so I am going to try back tomorrow. Sounds like it though.

Gemini is that the one that you have?”

“I ordered 3 of those South Toe maps from that site I posted a link for. They came in today. I got one for each of us. E mail me yalls addresses and I'll put them in the mail. They are Very nice and cover the whole area we'll be hiking.”

“Burnsville NC is about 620 miles from here, so this might be doable if I leave after work on Thursday.

How far is the hike to camp on Friday? If Yam gets there Friday night, maybe I can talk her into a night hike.”

“ah hell, Pennsy ifn your comin down to the Carolinas then I'll just have to make sure I'm up for this trip.”

“there is a trailhead in the Carolina Hemlocks campground off of NC 80 that is 3.5 miles to Friday night's camp in Deep Gap.”

“Why wouldn't you go, Roamy?
If I can get away with taking only 1 day off work, this pretty doable. I'd need to back to my car early Sunday afternoon.

ENS - I'll ask for more specific info as the date gets closer, but roughly how far is the planned hike on Friday? 3.5 miles is a nice distance for a night hike if it comes to that. What do ya think Yammy?”

“the hike for Friday is 9 miles but it's over pretty rough ground. Friday is the hardest part of the hike.”

“Sunday being the easiest.”

“From Carolina Hemlocks Campground to Deep Gap looks like 3.7 miles. Only 2,900 ft of elevation gain too. hmmm.

I have no idea as to the trail condition, but Big Poppa and Blalock took that trail out the last time, back in July.”

“Blalock said it was a piece of cake, of course they were going down. lol. I've heard it's not a hard trail though.”

“the map that Blalock was talking about is the right one. Gemini has confirmed.

South Toe River, Mount Mitchell & Big Ivy Trail Maps by the USFS Pisgah National Forest. The Appalachian Ranger District # is 828-682-6146."
Blalock”

“I just ordered it. Dude, it's not the one from the 1960's is it? The one that is blue and grey? That is the one that I have. I can't wait to get this map. It will go right up on my wall.

I used to hang posters of my favorate bands and now I hang trail maps.”

“I just ordered that map, plus 3 others for places I've never heard of. Thanks for the link WD.”

“pennsy,
i'd be up for it if i had a compadre to hike in the scary dark with. are you in?”

“Oh haha - not a private trip at all! =D

hiking in the dark with Peensy, what - are you freakin' mad yambalya?

(and if so, what are the consequences of "mad yams?")
huh?”

“twig! COME JOIN US!

BE ONE LIKE US!”

“yeah twig, twill be a beauty eh”

“We are borg...you will be assimilated...

What??? when, why, and for chrissake - where on earth??”

“what? Climb the highest mountain in the east on one of the hardest trails in the east.
when? October 15-17
why? just because
Where? Asheville, NC”

“Hey, ENS - didn't I read you talk in your sleep? We'd be competing, LOL...or perhaps conversating...

not good”

“I only have two documented cases of talking in my sleep and they were logged in the same night. lol”

“lol!

why? not just because -- but because its there!

there ain't no switchbacks on this trail either twig! you'll feel right at home.

comeon down for some southern hospitality. You might not understand a word that me or blalock say, but gar-on-tee that it'll be fun.”

“even get a knife edge to hike on. For those who have hiked the Katahdin Knife Edge probably won't even notice it. Still it is pretty cool.”

“The map I got is light green. The date on the map is 2004. I'm assuming it's very new. It is Topographic.
The title on the map is;
"South Toe River, Mount Mitchell, & Big Ivy Trail Maps".
USDA Forest Service
Appalachian Ranger District
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST.”

“ya know..I am still going on this one, but have nothing to say right now...nothing but "OUTCH, OUTCH, OUTCH...IT'S GONNA HURT!!"

Too early for me to follow this thread. I'll be the one that wants to know everything about one week before it's time.”

“lol, shush you, you'll scare them all off.

butyourrightyouknow”

“walkindude, thanks for ordering the maps. You have mail.

ENS, where are we meeting Thursday night or Friday morning at. walkindude, embear and myself will be leaving Nashville after work Thursday. Asheville is 5 hrs for me. Email me directions to the meeting place.”

“yeah, that's the map. Thanks, Blalock, Gemini and Walkindude for helping me track that down. Thursday night I am going to camp at Carolina Springs. I'll post more specific info tonight.”

“I saw the pictures from the 7/4 hike and the whole trip looks awesome. I'd love to join the hike... I have to get caught up on the thread - more soon (questions likely!).

If anyone uses AIM, feel free to drop me an IM and say hello - amadeus0720 is my SN.

best,

- John”

“Dude- you have mail.”

“At least since I've been running I think my knees may be stronger and better able to tolerate the abuse the Crest trai is gonna dish out.

remember the climb to Celo - those switchbacks at the very end? woah!”

“Hmmm, isn't this the place where Gemini shouted her famous quote?:

"DEES TRAIL IZ KAPUT!!!"


Yes Yammy dear. If you need a compadre to get you there in the dark, I may be available.”

“yes it is Pennsy!

Hopefully we'll avoid the little offtrail excursion that lead to that little remark as well as almost losing ENS (again!).”

“Roam, how was the view walking up that hill behind Gemini. Lots to see.”

“I think his glasses were steamed.”

“I mean it was a very humid day and we were all working quite hard.”

“I think Ewker is soon to be KAPUT. That was cold. LOL!”

“ewker needs to get of his #&%!$n blue pills. ewker, remember when you appoligized to me back then? it was okay and I accepted, but it ain't funny any more. got it?”

“hey peensy-fall-out-of-bunk-dude,

let me know when you make a decision.

it all depends on you.....”

“besides, she was actually behind me most of the way up!”

“Gemini, If you can't take a joke then f-off.
Kind of like you saying something about me and blue pills. I don't pay any attention to it but you like to bring it up a lot.”

“hey yam-who-gets-mashed-by-bobo,

I'll know for sure as the trip gets closer, but if you need to know sooner, holler and I'll make a decision. Looks pretty good though.”

“yam, you mean that you ain't going if old pennsy isn't going? Come on!!”

“I never thought of Yam as a wuss.”

“If Pennsy doesn't go, I ain't going either!”

“gem & Y2, I'm a big big big big big big big wuss when it comes to hiking in the dark. i think it stems from when i was a kid and thought Bigfoot was looking in my bedroom window at night--out there in the woods. scared the crap outta me”