Day 120 (19 July 2013, Friday) 7.6 Mi_416.5 Mi/Dennis Cove Rd, USFS 50 (Kincora Hostel)

Sweetheart last AT pic before going home...

...for 2013 year.

Pinoy Airman last AT pic...for 2013 yr. 

Bob Peoples and Pinoy Airman

Spend the night at Kincora's Tree House

After a night's rest, I am back to my usual self--no effects of yesterday exhaustion.  The plan to see Laurel Falls was nixed; we decided our time would be best used in preparing for our home trip tomorrow.  We invited Bob (Kincora Hostel) to have dinner with us; we ate at Lone Star Steakhouse.  I forgot to take pictures from our dinner and it was already too late when I remembered it.  Overall, our goals for this hike were achieved--add at least 100 miles; have Sweetheart experienced the AT and have fun in the process; and meet some nice people.  The tree house was awesome...we slept well.  (03:59:13)  "One Step, One Mountain, One Day"

Pinoy Airman

Day 119 (18 July 2013, Thursday) 17.7 Mi_408.9 Mi/Mi Marker 408.8 Campsite

Unusual things you'll see in the AT...

Sweetheart at Jones Falls

Pinoy Airman at Jones Falls

Sweetheart cooking our lunch at Jones Falls

We were supposed to spend the night at Vango/Abby Hostel (.6 mile W of the AT), however when we got to the hostel it was closed.  Sweetheart and I decided to proceed to the next shelter (Moreland Gap Shelter) which was less than 20 miles hike starting from the Apple House Campsite.  Unfortunately, before we can reach the shelter exhaustion/dehydration badly affected me--the spirit was excellent but the body was unwilling to continue.  I vomited four times and my body was weak--no more energy.  However, Sweetheart was fine and she would have reached the next shelter.  Today's hike was my longest hike in a day in the AT. Sweetheart was the only bright spot for today's ordeal--she was brave, courageous, and loving.  (08:28:01)  "One Step, One Mountain, One Day"

Pinoy Airman

Day 118 (17 July 2013, Wednesday) 15.4 Mi_391.2 Mi/Apple House Campsite

Sweetheart is taking a break...downhill from Roan Mt

...surrounding views from NW side of Roan Mt

Pinoy Airman...same spot (views from NW side of Roan Mt)

Back view of Roan Mt at Carvers Gap, TN 143

Roan Mt (Northside) from Jane Bald (5794 ft ASL)

Overlooking Roan Mt from Jane Bald

Big Rock slab at Jane Bald...overlooking Roan Mt

View from Jane Bald...overlooking Southeast side.

View of Overmountain Shelter (sleeps 20;

a converted barn) from Little Hump Mountain

(5459 ft ASL)

Taking a breather before climbing Little Hump Mt

(5459 ft ASL) and Hump Mt (5587 ft ASL).

Little Hump Mt and Hump Mt

Hump Mt--it has several false summits

...VERY CHALLENGING!

One of the toughest days ever on several fronts!  Our first hiking of more than 15 miles, several TOUGH mountains specifically Hump Mt (kicked our butt), and last, as soon as we got to the campsite (Apple House) it rained hard.  We got drenched and all our stuff was wet--had to set-up the tent in a hurry. The objective for that night was to stay dry inside the tent.  Yesterday's climb (Roan Mt) was hard but today was harder.  We were trying to haul more miles so we can go home a day or two early--ACCOMPLISHED. We will stay at Vango/Abby Memorial Hostel tomorrow and will try to dry our stuff.  (08:35:01)  "One Step, One Mountain, One Day"

Pinoy Airman

Day 117 (16 July 2013, Tuesday) 9.5 Mi_375.8 Mi/Roan Knob Shelter

EXHAUSTED!  ...after reaching

Top of Roan Mountain (6212 ft ASL)

Pinoy Airman at 6212 ft ASL (Roan Mt)

BJ and grandaughter, Destiny

Would you believe?  A Chimney in Roan Mt

...whatever is left of it.

Roan Knob Shelter (sleeps 15) -- Highest shelter on AT

Sweetheart was tested on her hiking skills today--she not only passed the test but also was courageous and brave; hike was punishing.  I could not ask for any hiking buddy than her.  It all made our AT hiking efforts easy and fun.  BJ was an AF Veteran who loved her country and the Air Force.  She was a Surgery Technician in the AF.  We met her and Destiny (granddaughter) in the Toll House of Roan Mountain.  We will start increasing our hiking miles tomorrow...finishing our plan 14-day hike in a quick fashion.  If our plan materializes, hiking days should decrease to 12 days.  (05:47:01)  "One Step, One Mountain, One Day"

Pinoy Airman

Day 116 (15 July 2013, Monday) 7.3 Mi_366.3 Mi/Greasy Creek Hostel

One of several mountain scenic views

...Its BEAUTIFUL!

Golden Ragwort - Small flower with yellow

center & small floppy petals.  "Field Flower"

that can create a sea of yellow.  (Trail Guide)

Jason and Pinoy Airman--we met him

at Uncle Johnny's Hostel & in the AT...

...he is a SOBO and sectional hiker.

Greasy Creek Hostel -- Bunk beds inside

Double Cheeseburgers from Mountain Grill

Sweetheart and CeCe

Sweetheart and I had a good night sleep and well rested--READY for another good days hike! It was a beautiful day and we stayed at Greasy Creek Hostel.  The Hostel is highly recommended.  However, we have to go out of our way to find it...really go out of our way (at least .6 mile one way and we have to use lots of instincts to find the place; pls don't doubt yourself when looking for the hostel).  CeCe and Phillip more than made up for the distance for their hospitality.  We ordered couple of double cheeseburgers from Mountain Grill for our dinner; Phillip and CeCe provided us a ride.  The cheeseburgers were huge and for its price, it was a find.  We ate dinner leftovers for breakfast the following morning.  We also had one banana milkshake.  (04:10:51) "One Step, One Mountain, One Day"

Pinoy Airman

Day 115 (14 July 2013, Sunday) 8.7 Mi_359.0 Mi/Cherry Gap Shelter

One of the power lines along the AT...

Drying out some items...

...drenched from the rain today!

Cherry Gap Shelter (sleeps 6)

Notice the clothesline?

Just thinking tomorrow's walk...

will make you???  Long deep thoughts...

It was lousy today!  We got drenched, really wet, with rain today.  It was not fun walking while the rain was keep on pouring hard. As soon as we reached the shelter, we changed clothes and put all wet items to dry--lucky for us the sun came out that afternoon.  Sweetheart was fast and we reached the shelter about an hour early.  We will stay at the Greasy Creek hostel tomorrow--it is .6 mile out of the AT trail.  This will provide us a chance to wash our clothes and get dry. Hopefully, the hostel is not that hard to find...we will see.  (04:57:30)

Pinoy Airman

Day 114 (13 July 2013, Saturday) 8.8 Mi_350.3 Mi/Indian Grave Gap, TN 395

Come across 2nd AT railroad track @ Erwin, TN...

...Sweetheart's 1st AT railroad track. 

"Max" the Turtle--one of many "cute" pics in the AT

Curley Maple Gap Shelter (sleeps 14)

Mama San & Energizer Bunny w/ their kids--

sectional hikers from Elizabethton, TN

One of the trees blocking our way; numerous

obstacles along the trail particularly after a storm...

Our inexpensive tent

Camp at Indian Grave Gap

It was an excellent hike from Uncle Johnny's Hostel to Indian Grave Gap.  We were supposed to stay at Curley Maple Gap Shelter; due to early arrival, we decided to move on and camp at Indian Grave Gap. Water source was down the road (TN 395) outside the curve--had to go over the steel protective barricade along the curve road.  We had a fire last night and Sweetheart was concerned that the fire might spread.  Eventually, her fears subsided because it rained a little bit and killed the fire.  We planned to remain overnight at Cherry Gap Shelter the next day.  (04:59:49)

Pinoy Airman

Day 113 (12 July 2013, Friday) 5.8 Mi_341.5 Mi/Uncle Johnny's Hostel (Erwin, TN)

Wild Blackberries...@downhill to Erwin, TN

Sweetheart harvesting some wild blackberries...

...Pinoy Airman doing the same thing.

Small blackberries...most have been harvested

by the AT hikers; most probably a month ago.

Sweetheart showing Ratatouille nibbled part

of her pants last night (No Business Knob)

Pic with Itsy Bitsy Spider (AT '74) and Helga;

both AT maintainers.  Had fun hiking with them,

while doing some trail maintenance chores

View of the Nolichucky River (Erwin, TN)

Thanks Dr. Craig (Itsy Bitsy Spider)!

Last view of Erwin, TN from the Mountain Top

Retiring?  Yes; its been more than 15 years of service.

We bought this "Raichle" shoes in Switzerland.

In front of Uncle Johnny's Hostel...after biking

total of 8 miles (to/from) to buy shoes at Wal-Mart 

...same.  Erwin, TN has an excellent Bike

route:  SAFE...

Uncle Johnny

Pic with "Country Gold" (AT '10)

Country Gold and "Sarge"

We were glad there were hostels along the AT.  Uncle Johnny's Hostel was a welcome relief after three days of hiking.  Who is complaining?  Nah, we were not complaining.  It was a nice experience to get to the downtown area, biked to Wal-Mart to buy a pair of shoes and got back to the hostel.  This was at least an 8-mile biking trail after hiking in the morning.  Sweetheart's Raichle shoes have been retired; cannot be fixed according to "Baker Shoe Repair".  If we had known Raichle could not be fixed, we would not take the bike and just get a ride to Wal-Mart. No regrets though....  (03:14:20)

Pinoy Airman