DClog

Coys on the AT

Dean drove Nathan, Stephen, the dogs and myself to Unicoi Gap where the hiking began. We hit the AT around 3PM and headed west up and over Blue Mountain. The trail gains about 1000 feet of elevation in the first mile or so, so the pace was slow but strenuous. Thunder in the distance warned about the possibility of a shower. A little over halfway to the top the rain was upon us and we stopped to cover our backpacks.The rain didn't last very long, but long enough that all our clothes were soaked.

Passing the Blue Mountain shelter, it looked like a storm had hit that very spot in recent weeks from the looks of all the broken trees. We continued to the Southwest for about a mile and down about 500 feet where the weather would be less likely to be severe.

The sky was getting dark and the winds accelerating, so we gathered water, hustled to the campsite at Rocky Knob and pitched the tents before the next front came through. Everyone got into dry clothes and relaxed in the tents for a couple hours until the rain passed.

Eventually the clear skies prevailed and everyone had some dinner then assisted in trying to get a campfire going. The campfire project was not extremely successful but kept us all occupied.

After a restless night's sleep, thanks to the camping-crazed canines, we got up, had breakfast and broke camp. The hike back out was enjoyable except the heat and humidity was increasing rapidly. Everyone emerged unscathed and mostly satisfied. I enjoyed the adventure.

Windows Media Video
15.7 MB
You should right-click on the link and select "Save Target As...", then play the Windows Media Video from your computer.

The Coys backpacking on the Appalacian Trail

Still photos in the photo gallery.

Posted by dancoy at July 2, 2005 04:05 PM