On July 26-27 we went on a "test hike" to see how our gear and joints would perform on El Camino. From Cades Cove, we went up Gregory Ridge trail to the AT and stayed at a shelter at Mollies Ridge. We did 10.5 miles out and then back for a total of 21 miles. We averaged about 2 miles per hour. Click here for a map of the park. (Cades Cove is to the west.)
Some highlights:
- Lots of quiet and peace, time to think
- Good time together
- Many wild blueberries and blackberries
- No rain, some breeze
- Giving ourselves trailnames (Bean Burger and Tofu -- BB&T)
And some lowlights:
- Being really sore
- Sleeping on a cutting board (shoulda brought a pad)
- The shelter's water supply having dried up (we had enough to make it back; more inconvenient than dangerous)
- Forgetting to tell anyone our trailnames!
It was a good learning experience. Next time, we'll take less stuff, more food and water.
4 comments:
You can pick your own trail names? You don't have to wait for someone to bestow them upon you? I guess that means I'm Corn Dog (CD). Now I just need to find a trail where people will call me that.
Andrew and I have discussed this, and we think that "Corn Dog" may be more suited for him, because he is tall and skinny. And he does love nitrates and grease. I am going to be "Candy Apple," because I like the idea of taking something healthy (fruit) and dipping it into a vat of high fructose corn syrup and red dye number 5.
Ya'lls hike sounded like quite the adventrue!! I love the trail names and will have to remember them for future reference :) Your trip is coming up fast! I'm praying!! Love and miss you both!!! oh and my blog is sharonhannah.blogspot.com i don't post much but there it is anyway :)
sharon
Well, I wouldn't say we discussed it, Jennifer... to quote:
"I have now dubbed you "Corn Dog" and me "Candy Apple." You can thank me with a gift certificate to Sonic."
dubbing = discussion?
I think I'll dub myself something else... maybe Manchego or Emmental. Not the best trail name, perhaps, but better than Stinking Bishop.
Post a Comment