Clear, crisp skies and ice and frost on the tent made for a difficult start this morning after yesterday's rain. Despite a low moment from frustration over the condition of my right foot, I was optimistic about the day. NC welcomes you with a major steep climb up Sharptop, then another steep climb up an unnamed peak, over Courthouse Bald. By mid morning we had made it to Deep Gap then began the 3 mile ascent of Standing Indian Mtn, the first peak over 5000 feet we climb. We stopped briefly at the shelter 1 mile up, pumped water and called our wives with the cell phone, then resumed our ascent. We got to the top 5,498 feet after a strenuous and difficult hike thanks to the large amount of snow on the ground. At the top we had lunch. A couple from Florida was dayhiking and were at the top having lunch as well. Stephen and Carol and their lab were very kind, sharing fresh carrots and garlic chicken with us. It was delicious and a nice treat from the normal lunch fare.
After lunch we began a general descent of Standing Indian, which was exhausting due to 4 foot snow drifts in many places followed by puddles in the trail and mud from the snow melt followed by drifts followed by ... well, you get the picture. We arrived at Beech Gap at 3:30 p.m. and called it a day. Everything was wet from yesterday, so we hung up a clothesline, emptied our packs and dried out. A BSA troop from Birmingham, AL is staying next to us and we have visited with them this evening, sharing the campfire for awhile. They're a big active troop like ours back home and it was great company with them. Third night in a row we have owls hooting outside the tent. No bears yet, just lots of squirrels, chipmunks and birds. It's COLD tonite so I'm cutting this short and going to bed. 25 degrees in my tent, and it's only 8:45 p.m. Statistics: Low 28 degrees, high 45, sunny. Mileage, 12.3, cumulative 87.7.
Mar 25: Garlic chicken & 4-ft drifts at 5,498 feet
