(Beauty Spot (mile 355) - Clyde Smith Shelter (mile 370.5))

The night was neither cold nor windy. I actually got a little toasty and had to undo my vestibule in the middle of the night. I woke up to Katie’s voice outside my tent: “Frogman? Frogman? Get up! The sunrise is awesome!” It was a little before 7am, and I poked my head out of my tent to find Katie, Jasmine, Excel, Clover, and Puddin. “Aren’t you getting up to see the sunrise?” Katie asked. Apparently the whole crew had left Curly Maple Gap Shelter at 4:20am to make it to Beauty Spot for the sunrise. I joined them and was happy I did. The sunrise was very pretty🌄

I packed my things, did my morning stretches, and headed to the water source 0.3 miles past Beauty Spot. I had just enough water to get me through dinner last night, which left me with maybe a tenth of a liter in the morning. Barely enough to quench my morning thirst. Definitely not enough to make breakfast. After gathering water, I ate breakfast on a log next to the trail. I hiked for another mile or so and stopped for water and a morning cat hole at Unaka Mountain Gap. The crew caught up and I decided to hike with them for the steep climb up Unaka Mountain.

An old disused hiker ladder. These structures are usually built to allow hikers to climb over barbed wire fences

As we neared the summit of Unaka Mountain, the forest transitioned to magical fantasy mode. Thick mats of moss covered the ground while old gnarled hardwoods peppered the stands of spruce and fir crowding the mountaintop. At times, the spruce formed a dense, claustrophobic corridor barely wide enough to pass through. Unaka Mountain is also known as the Emerald Forest. I could see why. It was striking. Many Lord of the Rings comparisons were made.

Hiking through an enchanted spruce forest on Unaka Mountain

My left knee has been tender since the morning I made it to Uncle Johnny’s. Nothing major, but I hope it won’t get worse. I should probably seek out a knee brace next time I’m in town to give everything a little extra support. My left shoulder was also a little sore around my vaccine site. No serious discomfort or other symptoms fortunately. Puddin was not so lucky, and has been experiencing mild COVID-like symptoms since his shot. He’s had COVID before, which apparently can make the post-vaccine experience a lot worse. I’m no vaccine expert though, so don’t quote me on that.

About 3.5 miles past Unaka Mountain, we stopped for lunch at Cherry Gap Shelter. The shelter’s most notable feature was a low-slung entryway which was labelled ‘THE DECAPITATOR (low clearance 5’ 6”)’ Fortunately, I avoided any head trauma. Jasmine busted out a huge back of fried Indian snack foods which her parents had sent her. They were delicious and immensely calorie-dense. After lunch, just as we were about to leave the shelter, Steve arrived. I figured Steve would be far ahead of us by now, so I was pleasantly surprised to see him.

After another 5 miles, the crew took a break in field near water source after Iron Mountain Gap. We were about 2 miles from a tentsite Iron Mountain, which was where the crew was hoping to make it tonight. That woul be just about a 20 mile day for them since they started at Curly Maple Gap Shelter. However, the afternoon sky was teasing rain, with ominous clouds and frequent wind gusts. They decided to push ahead to Clyde Smith Shelter (where I was headed) in hopes of avoiding a storm on top of Iron Mountain.

We took a break in a field to collect water and strategize about where to overnight

It started sprinkling soon after we got moving again. I tolerated it for a bit and then decided to put on my rain jacket. I kid you not, the moment I had my rain jacket on, it immediately stopped sprinkling. Ugh.

We made it to Clyde Smith Shelter around 5pm. After helping Excel hang her bear line, we all gathered around the fire pit for dinner. The Crew was understandably tired after their 22 mile day, but the rain had held out and spirits were high. As we were dining, a thru-hiker I hadn’t met yet arrived. The crew seemed to know him already, and he introduced himself as “Lebowski.” Lebowski has averaged 24 mile days this week and reminded me of Shia LeBeouf with a big, bushy beard. Steve also made it to shelter and it felt good to be surrounded by so many good souls.

Tomorrow my hope is to make it to Big Barn, an iconic shelter on the other side of Roan Mountain.