Carvers Gap to Hwy 226

“Friday after work I loaded the truck and headed to Linville Falls,NC to pick up Moonshine.We packed up his gear and some good blueberry squeezins and hit the road to meet up with Refrigerator at the point on 226 that we would eventually come out at.Fridge had just arrived when we pulled in so that was awesome timing.We then pulled not very far up a Pisgah NF road and made camp for the night and had a great little fire even tho it was raining.next morning we put everything in my vehicle and headed to Carvers Gap after a quick stop for (FREE) coffee at Jacks Market.We left Carvers Gap heading South on the AT. The very first mile proved to be MOST challenging in that the entire trail was covered in anywhere from 4 to 10 inches of ice.Needless to say none of us had brought microspikes.Fridge slips once and ended up about 75 feet back down trail.LOL! He was fine!!!Once we made the top we had no more ice,thank goodness.NOW we have along decent of Roan Mt and this time it's mud that has taken control of our hike. It's raing,it's cold, it's windy and muddy as hell!!!We had planned to go as far as Grassy Gap but the weather and the mud made us change our minds and at about the 7.5 mile mark was the Clyde Smith shelter. There we found a great little shelter that proved to be everything we needed and we had it to ourselves.We ate and ate and ate and then drank and drank and then ate some more and then drank some more! Oh and we very much enjoyed the constant rain on the tin roof of the shelter.Fridge had to try out his new MH tent. Sunday morning we got up early had coffee and breakfast and hit the trail. As soon as we started the sleet set in for about an hour and then stopped.We had a great six mile hike out with rolling hills and beautiful forests.We all made it out in less than 2.5 hours. We went to get my truck, then into the township of Roan Mountain and had one of the biggest burgers I've ever seen. Oh yeah by this time everything is covered in snow!!!! Great trip!!!
last edited: 3/01/09 1:36:33 PM”

“Wow, that sounds like am awesome trip. Rain,ice,mud, snow, what more can ya ask for. The last time I was at the Clyde Smith Shelter a mouse chewed on my pack.”

“fridges dog took care of the mice.only saw 1.awsome trip”

“My Butt is tired yall....and all the rest of my body.....that ice spam was a tellin is no exageration......solid sheets as long at 300 plus feet at some spots, iffin anyone who does not believe in using walking sticks...then you should have been on this one.....without sticks....well lets just say I fell i know 5 times 3 on ice and 2 on the mud slids down the steep southern terminus to hughes gap. those other 2 aint tellin how many they fell, yall go ahead and confess up!
like I said earlier...I am tired.”

“oh yea fell 3 times and almost a dozen more.didn't see anyone else out there either the last 24hrs/12mi.a good 6inches of snow here and still snowin thanx again for the shuttlin mr fridge and mr spam”

“I fell twice!!! Once it was just a slip, the other I busted my a$$ bigtime!!!!”

“Whoa,
Welcome ta our world boys!! That sounds just like the trails up here, only there ain't no big hills!!!! LOL
Glad no one got hurt!!
I been using my Yaktrak Pros all the time but they ain't perfect. I have not fell yet.
See ya later.
Randall”

“It just began snowing here at my house for the first time in three years!!!YEAH!!!”

“Hope you guys are doing better today, hide the bruises or your wives may be charged with spousal abuse.”

“I'm feelin purdy good today!!!!”