[at-l] No regrets

[Teresa French Wench]

Re: [at-l] No regretsYeah, I can see where that'd slow you down!  I can't tell you what Max Patch really looks like.  I have heard that there are a lot of wood steps, but I can only attest to a couple of them.  The waist high drifts were a little much to break trail through.  Good thing I was hiking with a much longer-legged Hotdog.  He asked if I wanted him to lead.  Yeah, duh!  Why didn't I think of that?  At least when he slipped he didn't go into snow up to his neck.  And, the views from up there...?  I wouldn't have a clue.  It was so darned windy and cold that I just wanted to get back down into the trees.

Good stuff.
:-)
Wench
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Art Cloutman 
  Newsgroups: local.at-l
  To: Teresa French Wench ; at-l at backcountry.net 
  Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 7:38 AM
  Subject: Re: No regrets


  I was a week behind you and climbing over Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mountains during that storm.  Snow drifts across the trail were hip deep.  Came across a ridge runner who asked where I was from.  When I said New Hampshire he said Well it looks like you know what your are doing.  It made for a very slow walk through the Smokies.  We were planning to hike to Hot Springs but I put a call in to Sly and Cheryl for a pickup in Davenport Gap because we had fallen behind our available time.


    In 2003, 16" of snow at Groundhog Creek Shelter on March 31.  And another good snowstorm on April 10.  We just happened to be taking a zero or two in Erwin, TN for that one and just got to hike in the slush on the ground from there up and over Roan Mtn.  The snow fights were fun.  We became pretty adept at picking up a good bit of snow on our hiking poles and tossing at the back or head of the person in front, without missing a stride.  I think Hotdog and I even sat down for an hour or so and threw snowballs at a tree or something.  Good stuff.

    But, we took a zero in the shelter while the snow was coming down March 31... didn't know how bad it was going to get.  I did not want to hike farther UP in those conditions.  Forecast was for "flurries in the mountains."  Groundhog Creek Shelter is at
    2850' elevation.

    Be prepared for anything..
    :-)
    Wench


      ----- Original Message -----
      From: Lee Parker


      Unlike hiking in the White's where you are prepared for snow even in July, the southern Appalachian's are usually only subject to rain at that time of the year, a few flurries at altitude maybe, but basically rain.


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-- 

  Life is Good!!!
  Art Cloutman
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