1/14/05

This trip started out with Don driving to Michele's, and then Michele driving Don and Annie to Greensboro. There we loaded up Gene and hit the road west. We ate supper at JB's in Sparta and then drove on up to Massey Gap, arriving about 9 PM on Friday night. Temp's were around 20 degrees F.

As we hiked up toward the fence and stile, we could see lots of lights in the trees where our usual campsite is. We also saw another light out to the left on the open ridgeline. Even before we got close, we could hear the hootin' and hollerin' of the group in the trees.

After crossing the stile, a lone figured started towards us from the ridge, preceded by a bounding black shape. Stella greeted Annie with appropriate reservation for two furry black shapes meeting in the dark. We hugged Nickola as she emerged from the darkness and advised us that a large frat and sorority party was going on in the trees.

She had pitched her tent around the corner and swore she couldn't hear the party from there. We heard it a half mile away on the approach.

After pitching our tents, we enjoyed the brisk night, clear sky full of stars, and a few capfuls of Bailey's. Then it was off to the tents to enjoy a long winter's sleep.

Around 8, it was light enough outside (and the bladder alarm was going off) that we started working towards to getting up. We found a semi-sheltered nook among the pines to escape the mountain breeze while we fixed biscuits stuffed with ham, cheese, and peppered beef for breakfast. After chatting for a while, we discussed the idea that we should go for a hike. We also discussed the merits of staying in the same campsite, and all the times when that's as far as the group got on a weekend.

Not wanting to be completely sedentary, we got up, walked about 15 feet, realized we were now in the sun, and promptly set our stuff back down and sat to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

We eventually got back up and packed up camp. Around noon, we started hiking down the horse trail and up to Cabin Ridge. There we pitched camp near the big rock and fixed a pot of instant loaded mashed potatoes with cheese for a midafternoon snack. It was all in the name of experimentation, of course.

Then Gene settled in his tent for another nap, the gals went for a hike with the pups, and I climbed the rock for a view. Temp's probably rose to the low 30's for us in the afternoon.

After more wandering around, we reconvened in camp and had a snack. By then it was about time for the sunset, so we walked back out to the open ridge area and enjoyed a beautiful sunset show. There was a nice layer of broken clouds at about 8,000 feet, which made a perfect canvas for the fading sunlight to play upon as night closed in.

Supper followed shortly thereafter. A nice hearty pot of chicken and noodles. A stiff breeze drove us into Gene's tent for a little more social time. And then it was time for another long winter's nap.

Breakfast time eventually came and went, and we decided to hike up to Rhododendron Gap, about a mile away, and see where we wanted to go from there.

When we arrived at the gap, we could see the rock outcropping over on Pine Mtn where we spread Billy Bob's ashes. Since it was still close to midday, we decided to hike over and have lunch at the spot.

For those of you who knew Billy, you surely would remember his bright mango/red TNF parka. Our thoughts were on Billy as we approached through the trees, deep in thought. As we rounded the last curve and looked up, we were all shocked to see a large man standing up there wearing a bright reddish TNF parka.

As we got closer, we confirmed that this was not our friend, returned from beyond. Not yet anyway.

The wind picked up and the clouds rolled in as we had a quick lunch on the outcropping. Perfect Rogers weather, the kind Billy loved. Only snow would make it better. The chill wind soon drove us on and we headed for the Scales. Shortly after we passed the Scales and headed towards Wise Shelter, we started seeing some flakes fall from the sky. Billy was sending us a little snow!

By the time we got to the shelter, there were some nice sized-flakes falling. After another snack, we headed towards Massey Gap. The snow thickened and started accumulating. As we reached the top of the ridge, the wind was howling pretty good and the snow was over two inches deep.

When we reached the parking lot, just about dark, we had a good three inches of snow on the ground and it was still coming down heavy. We went from nothing to that much snow in about 2 1/2 hours. Cool beans! Thanks, Billy!

The drive home was long and uneventful. The hot shower felt great.

Another great adventure with great friends! When's the next one?