Pete Week Like A Hiking Machine

Boy! What a great week, one fit for a Hiking Machine! That's why I didn't do this when I got back yesterday as I was tired from carrying Dead Weight, but I'm here today to give a brief overview of the week. As I already mentioned the Lummox did a walk of shame after tapping out at Grandfather Mountain but making it, somewhat, right at the Roans. 

After getting back last Wednesday it was onto the Cabin on Thursday. Then Friday I carried plenty of weight to Devil's Bathtub in Scott County part of the JNF (Jefferson National Forest). While not very long it is Hiking Machine worthy. 

Then Saturday I made a public appearance for all the Peteoholics at the TCC High Knob Naturalist Rally. They wanted me to lead a hike, but  I didn't want to mingle with hundreds of mouthbreathers, so I declined. But I did some hiking around High Knob Lake and to the summit. 

Then I got to do even more hiking Monday and Tuesday. Well, that's about covers it...the Lummox will eventually have more on all of this. Anyway, you know the drill, I'm out...BITCHES!

How Grandfather Mountain Became The Roans, Two Words...The Lummox!

When can two be true? When it involves the Lummox. That happened on our overnight that was supposed to be at Grandfather Mountain but ended up on the Roans. 

The original plan was to head up from the Daniel Boone Fork and then up the Daniel Boone Trail and eventually to the Hi-Baslam Shelter. Well, I knew we were in trouble as he was whining...IN THE CAR! So, we get on the trail and this pansy was sucking wind and we had reached the registration kiosk. I can carry him some, but three miles and 2,000 feet of elevation gain would have pushed even a Hiking Machine to his limit. But I didn't get a chance as he tapped out and then sat down crying. Two hundred pounds of dead weight is one thing, but a kicking and screaming Lummox...NO THANKS!

Anyway, I think to make amends with me the pansy decided on the Roans. I know he wanted to go home, but HELL NO that wasn't happening! If you have to pick a second choice there aren't much better than the Roans. It was even funny that the Sun came up right over Grandfather Mountain (it was like rubbing his nose in it). Well, he will at some point make up some s**t to cover his lack of spine. With that, I'm out...BITCHES!

Smokies Plus Wild Cherries Equal Bear Jam

Hiking and mountain vistas weren't the only highlights of my recent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). No, it was seeing the park's most famous inhabitants...BEARS!

For anyone familiar with this blog you know that bears are a favorite animal of mine. So, when I get to see one it is great, but multiple bears, well that is spectacular and that is what happened on that Thursday. As I was coming down the Newfound Gap Road right not long after passing the Chimney Tops Trailhead there was a huge gaggle of cars for the Tops main overlook. Immediately I knew what it was a BearJam. For the unenlightened, it is when traffic backs up, usually on both sides, because of bears. 

My Smokies High Country Adventure.

Usually what awaits at Chimeny Tops Overlook.

I saw where everyone was looking it was a tree right before the Chimney Tops Overlook (or after for me) and it was packed with cars, so I parked at the overlook on down and hurried towards the crowd. I had seen two bears that looked like a yearling and a larger bear that looked like a sow. From what I have seen in the past for these Bear Jams the bruins move on quick, but not this time. The adult bear I saw had come down the tree, but she had not one, or two, but three cubs in the tree. So, with this bear family and the yearling that made five. When I looked up into the tree it was obvious why they weren't to eager to leave, it was a Wild Cherry...it was loaded! Anyway, I got some great pictures of all five. While it was cool it did get a little uncomfortable, because a number of people were getting too close. I fully expected this one guy to get mauled. Yes, cubs are cute but they're bears. Still, that brings my bear total to seven!

Bear Number 1: Mama Bear...

...Bear Number 2: Yearling...

...Bear Number: Cub #1

...(Above) Bear Number 4: Cub #2 & (Below) Bear Number 5: Cub #3....

A Second Attempt For My Blog From The Smokies High-Country

This was going to be a much longer blog on my recent overnight to Icewater Spring Shelter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), but the Blogger app I was using deleted the whole thing when I was almost done! So, I'm not going to try and re-transcribe it because I just don't want to (it was pretty long) and it has been a fortnight ago, so I just want to get it up. . So, on Wednesday, this was my first shelter overnight since 2019 and first time to Icewater Spring since 2018. It had been even longer since going to Charlie's Bunion (November 2017). I also hiked for the first time to the Sawtooth.

Arriving at GSMNP.

Heading up the Newfound Gap Road.

Morton Overlook.

Starting down the AT from Newfound Gap.

Collection of AT blaze trees.

Heading on the AT to the...

...Boulevard Trail junction.

My home for the night...Icewater Spring Hilton (Shelter).

To Charlie's Bunion junction, but I'm not stopping...

...heading past Dry Sluice Gap to the Sawtooth.

The Sawtooth (unassisted) view...

...& tech assisted looking into TN...

...& NC.

The "Original" Charlie's Bunion...

...the trail-up was grown up.

The (real) Charlie's Bunion.

Heading past the old tree headed back on the AT.

When I got back a group from SAWS was doing trail work & set up at the shelter (with bear fence).

Then Thursday, after hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) back to Newfound Gap I headed up to Kuwahi (Clingmans Dome) for the loop hike to a cloud-covered tower (it was clear when I started up). Anyway, I will add descriptions in the pictures on some of the things I left out. Oh, if you are wondering where are the bears? Well, I didn't want them buried in this blog, so I am going to do their own blog. If you want to view more photos check them out on my SmugMug...

Heading back on the AT.

A mega-Widow Maker.

Back at Newfound Gap.

Headed on the Clingmans (Kuwahi) Bypass Trail to the AT.

Mt. Buckley View...the last around the top.

Summit of Kuwahi & the Clingmans (Smoky) Dome Tower.

It was crowded & socked in.

On the way down it started raining.

The view from the parking area at my start & end.