Klondike Hikes

This is a recap of our annual, cold weather, multi-day ventures into the Southern wilderness. These trips take place during the winter months of January and February, and are planned with the intention of finding some snow – which is not always easy in the South.  You can click on the trips and dates below to link to additional photos, maps, and details of each Klondike hike. 

The tradition began in 1997 and continues on through today.  While these are the “official” Klondike hikes, there were times when we had epic snow events within a few weeks of these backpacking trips.  So to give honorable mention to these storms – you’ll find a few links embedded within the Klondike hikes.  

In 2019, we started patching Klondike hikers during our annual winter event.  Here’s a list of our rituals and the patched Klondikers to date.

 

2024 APPALACHIAN TRAIL – PLUM ORCHARD SHELTER – JANUARY 20, 2024

Hikers: Allan Dishman, David Ewing, Steve Goodrich, Greg Moehlich, Derek Porter, Chris Schwab

Notable Events:  Brett Fuller and I plan to meet Derek Porter and his crew at the Ice Water Springs Shelter in the Smokies on a route that is a repeat of a 2014 Klondike hike.  But the trip is cancelled when the weatherman predicts a high of 11 degrees at Newfound Gap. So we opt to head for Porter’s house at Lake Burton and do a day hike to Plum Orchard Shelter on the A.T.  Plum Orchard Shelter - January 2024The weather is still frigid and Porter uses foot warmers to heat up his hands after we take a lunch break at the shelter.  In the late afternoon, we return to his cabin – cook steaks, drink bourbon, and delight that we are not freezing our asses off on the ridgeline in the Smokies.  A few weeks later, I miss the official Klondike when my Dad takes a turn for the worse and I have to hustle down to Hilton Head for the weekend.  However, Fuller, Reggie Aycock, Rob Brown, Jim Bunting, and Ken Mahan press on and spend a chilly night on Stratton Bald with a dusting of snow.  They succeed in finding firewood and stoking up a very stubborn fire to keep the Klondike tradition alive for yet another year.  Total Mileage (Plum Orchard Shelter) 9.4 mi, ~2650′ gain, ~2650′ loss.

 

2023 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – KEPHART SHELTER – FEBRUARY 04, 2023

Hikers: Reggie Aycock, Phillip Boyd, Rob Brown, Jim Bunting, Roger Cardoe, Pratt Davis, Steve Goodrich, Mike Jenks, Ken Knight, Ken Mahan, Scott Snyder, Steve Snyder

Notable Events:  My 4-Runner loses an entire wheel while I’m driving down GA 400 at 75mph, so Pratt gives me a ride to the Kephart Prong trailhead where we hike into the Kephart Shelter.  We have rain all week, but the weather clears out for the weekend.  Kephart Shelter - February 2022Roger successfully gets a fire going and 10 of us huddle around it until Bunting and Jenks arrive at dusk to enthusiastic cheers.  They keep us guessing all day on their participation in the Klondike after a late departure from Charlotte, N.C.  Jenks (aka Deacon) shares mini-wieners and a steak that he cooks in a cast iron skillet.  He is patched in as a Klondiker later in the night.  With Covid lingering, the park service permits tent camping this year and there are only five of us sleeping in the shelter tonight.  We stay up until 1:30am with insanely hot coals and finish off Jenk’s leftover beers. The next morning, Bunting makes a sunrise departure to get back for more kids activities and even beats Roger out of camp.  I dump then haul out Jenk’s abandon bottle of piss that he leaves in the shelter.  Party foul – he better cook a filet for me next year.  Total Mileage 4.0 mi, ~1000′ gain, ~1000′ loss.

 

2022 NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST – SNOWBIRD GAP – FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Hikers: Roger Cardoe, Pratt Davis, Steve Goodrich, Ken Knight, Ken Mahan, Scott Snyder, Steve Snyder

Notable Events: I pick Phillip up at the Marta Station at 10:20am, then get Mahan at his house for the drive north. Arrive at Wayah Gap by 1pm to discover that Roger, the Snyder’s, and Pratt are already on top of the mountain. Hike ~800 feet up the Appalachian Trail and find them at a Snowbird Gap - February 2022campsite at Snowbird Gap (and just below Siler Bald).The weather apps call for rain/snow between 1am and 4am tomorrow, but the front moves through quicker than expected and the warmer temps bring showers instead of snow this afternoon. After some debate, Mahan and I decide to make a return trip to the trailhead and get the Kelty tarp.  We find the Weasel climbing the mountain and rocking out to music.  Share a beer with him, then raid Roger’s cooler for more beverages at the trailhead. Make it back to the campsite by 4:15pm and the Boyz have a fire raging when we return. The rain lingers until dark but stops in time for us to enjoy the evening. The Weasel shares a six pack of brats – then we settle into cigars and spirits for the rest of the night. Mahan, The Weasel and I are the last men standing at 12:30am as wet snow falls with 34-36 degree temps on the mountain.  Total Mileage 3.6 mi, 860′ gain, 860′ loss.

 

2021 BLACK ROCK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK – LOOKOFF MOUNTAIN – FEBRUARY 20, 2021

Hikers: Reggie Aycock, Phillip Boyd, Rob Brown, Roger Cardoe, Pratt Davis, Steve Goodrich, Ken Mahan, Ken Knight, Alec Sedki, Scott Snyder, Steve Snyder 

Notable Events:  Pratt & I book the Lookoff Mountain and Laurel Ridge campsites at Black Rock Mountain State Park for the Klondike 2021. Roger (who is now semi-retired) drives nearly 4 hours from Hays, N.C. but still makes it to the Lookoff campsite before the rest of us and hits the trail Lookoff Mountain - February 2021around 1pm.  We have a record number of Klondikers and set-up camp on the mountain as numerous day hikers take advantage of the sunshine and wander through our campsite – despite a bypass trail that goes straight to the overlook. We start an early fire to prepare for the 20 degree temps, then catch the sunset from the rock wall. Ken Mahan and Rob Brown arrive at the park at dusk and contemplate a short-cut to Lookoff Mountain through private property. They end up hiking the main trail in the dark, but arrive at our campsite in time for a Klondike patching ceremony – which officially adds Rob and Phillip to the crew. Roger downs 22 beers and sacks out after the main event. Most of the remaining group stays up until midnight – with the Weasel and I the last to remain fireside ~2:30am. The next morning, all Klondikers are off the mountain by 10am and we only see one day hiker on the descent to the trailhead.   Total Mileage 3.2 mi, 981′ gain, 981′ loss.

 

2020 NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST – WESSER BALD – FEBRUARY 22, 2020

Hikers: Reggie Aycock, Charlie Brady, Roger Cardoe, Pratt Davis, Steve Goodrich, Ken Mahan, Alec Sedki, Scott Snyder, Steve Snyder 

Notable Events:  Roger arrives at the trailhead as we are leaving Atlanta and stakes out a claim at the base of the firetower for Klondike 2020 .  Pratt and the Snyders join him an hour before we start our hike.  Alec, Charlie, and Ken take the Appalachian Trail to the summit – while I take the shorter and more punishing fire road.  I arrive gassed but 10-15 minutes ahead of them.  Snow covers the northern slopes from a Thursday storm but it only lingers at Wesser Bald.  We pitch tents on a ridgeline, then collect a massive pile of firewood for the evening.  Many day hikers join us on the summit.  Some enjoy the incredible sunset, and two backpackers walk up from the shelter around midnight.  Roger knocks back 21 beers and leaves 3 for the group.  There is much happiness.  Later we realize that he also abandons two hot dogs, buns, cheese and condiments.  There is great happiness.  Charlie and I are the last to sack out around 1:30am after our group checks out the numerous stars from the firetower.  The following morning, Ridge eats his way out of Pratt’s tent – and I wake to explicit four letter words.  Pratt, the Snyders, and Roger hike out before the rest of us get up at 8:30am – and all parties take the fireroad back to the parking area.  Video is here.  Total Mileage 2.8 mi, 767′ gain, 767′ loss.

 

2019 NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST – MCDONALD RIDGE – FEBRUARY 09, 2019

Hikers: Charlie Brady, Roger Cardoe, Pratt Davis, Steve Goodrich, Ken Knight, Ken Mahan, Scott Snyder, Steve Snyder 

Notable Events:  Roger and I have breakfast with Pat King at the Waynesville Golf Resort then meet the crew near Franklin.  Pratt’s new dog makes his backpacking debut and promptly runs off when we arrive at the trailhead.  After a 20 minute search “Ridge” is located and hereby relegated to the leash.  In the meantime, I drop my pack directly onto another dog’s pile of shit.  Then we hike 3.5 miles up the mountain to McDonald Ridge on the Bartram Trail – after we discover the forest road to Wayah Bald is closed for the winter.  Half the group opts to bushwack the last mile, and are rewarded with thorns and briars that produce bloody arms.  Our campsite is rarely used and has ample firewood.  A roaring fire tempers the 20 degree weather as does a radiant sunset.  The next morning a front moves in which sends us scampering down the mountain in 35 degree rain showers.  Total Mileage 7.0 mi, 1846′ gain, 1846′ loss.

 

2018 STROM THURMOND LAKE – BUSSEY POINT – FEBRUARY 17, 2018

Hikers: Phillip Boyd, Charlie Brady, Roger Cardoe, Pratt Davis, Steve Goodrich, Ken Knight, Alec Sedki

Notable Events: With a 100% chance of rain to the north, we pull an audible and head for Augusta – the only dry area within striking distance of both Atlanta and Charlotte.  A ranger with the US Army Corps tips us off on an unpublished campsite at Bussey Point – surrounded on three sides by Strom Thurmond Lake.  We hike six miles to the site and appreciate its amenities – shelter, picnic tables, firepit (with staked firewood), bear pole, and privy.  While nearly everything north of us gets soaked with rain, we register only a drop or two at the lake.  The next morning our streak continues and we hike out with no precipitation – with the last of our group arriving back at the trailhead by noon.  Total Mileage 12.6 mi, ~200′ gain, ~200′ loss.

 

2017 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – NEWTON BALD – JANUARY 27, 2017

Hikers: Reggie Aycock, Roger Cardoe, Pratt Davis, Steve Goodrich, Ken Mahan, Scott Snyder, Steve Snyder

Notable Events: Roger and I enjoy the accommodations and free breakfast at the Waynesville Inn on Friday morning then drive the short distance to Cherokee to meet the rest of the group. By 2:30pm, we hike 5.1 miles in light snow on the Newton Bald trail to Campsite #52, but are met with a wind chill of -4 degrees at 5000′. This prompts a mad dash for firewood and a herculean effort to hang the Kelty tarp for wind cover.  Roger & Pratt bring the fire to life outside the cylinder and there is much happiness. Beverages are consumed, cigars are smoked, and we celebrate that we are no longer going to die from hypothermia. Roger sacks out early, and leaves a surplus of beer.  We brave the temps until after midnight and commit to finishing it off. On Saturday morning, we drop 5.2 miles and 2800′ feet off the bald and punish our 40+ year old knees on the decent. Most of the group head for Cherokee, get cleaned up, then walk to the Harrah’s casino for drinks, dinner, and gambling. There is a country music show tonight and the casino is mobbed with cowboys & cowgirls. Pratt manages to find room at a $25 table and for the second year in a row cleans up – beating his haul from last year.  Total Mileage 11.0 mi, 1608′ gain, 4130′ loss.

 

2016 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – CAMPSITE #74 – FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Hikers: Jim Bunting, Roger Cardoe, Charlie Brady, Pratt Davis, Steve Goodrich, Ken Mahan, Scott Snyder, Steve Snyder

Notable Events: Most of the crew spend Friday night at the Fairfield Inn which is conveniently located across from the Harrah’s casino in Cherokee. Much gambling ensues. Pratt hits the tables until 3am and banks a cool $1400. Hangovers linger the following morning and we hike in to Campsite #74 via the “Tunnel To Nowhere”. A young Clemson couple shares our campsite with their dog – which they didn’t realize was illegal in the park. We explore the banks of the lake that are significantly down for the winter and enjoy beach combing – finding many flip-flops, beer cans, and half used bottles of KY. Charlie locates a large plastic chair and puts it to service around the campfire, while Roger consumes large quantities of ginger beer/whiskey and entertains our Clemson guests.  Charlie joins them in plotting revenge against Bunting’s beloved Alabama after losing the NCAA football championship back in January.  Total Mileage 6.6 mi, ~450′ gain, 450′ loss.

 

2015 CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, APPALACHIAN TRAIL – BLY GAP – JANUARY 31, 2015

Hikers: Reggie Aycock, Charlie Brady, Rob Brown, Pratt Davis, Steve Goodrich, Ken Mahan, Jason Meyer

Notable Events: We leverage 4×4 trucks to access the Appalachian Trail at Blue Ridge Gap and hike northbound to the Georgia/North Carolina state line to camp at Bly Gap.  This is the inaugural backcountry run for the GoPro – a gift over the Holidays.  Thorton sniffs out some beef jerky in my backpack and eats a softball size hole in my Gregory pack.  Meanwhile, Pratt goes old school on the fire – starting it with sliced up kindling and matches.  We see a surprising number of people on the trail at both Blue Ridge Gap and on the A.T. for a mid-winter hike: 50+ yr  motorcyclists, 40+ yr cyclists, and a number of day hikers and other backpackers.  On Sunday, we pack up quickly and return home to watch the Patriots edge out a victory over the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.  Video is here.  Total Mileage 6.2 mi, ~1000′ gain, 1000′ loss.

 

2014 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – ICE WATER SPRINGS SHELTER – JANUARY 11, 2014

Hikers: Matt Brunn, Joe DeLisle, Alan Dishman, David Ewing, Steve Goodrich, David McKinney, Greg Moehlich, Derek Porter, JD Schlandt

Notable Events: Two days of rain yield to snow then sunny skies for the final 18 hours of the annual MLK hike.  For many in the group, this is a re-do of a route that we hiked in 2008.  Brunn and Goodrich meet up with the crew on night #2 at Ice Water Springs Shelter and hike in from Newfound Gap in the twilight hours with 18 beers and 2 bottles of liquor.  The Boyz are pleased and much camaraderie ensues.  Day 2 begins with a spectacular sunrise and bobcat tracks surrounding the shelter.  We hike ~12 miles down to Smokemont Campground thanks to McKinney who walks out to Newfound Gap and shuttles a car.  There is heavy ice at 5900 feet but the temps warm during the day and there is no snow below 5000 feet.  This makes for a pleasant afternoon on the trail.  JD leads a little-known side-hike near Charlie’s Bunion that has solid (albeit frigid) 360 views of the park.  Total Mileage 11.5 mi, ~1400′ gain, 3900′ loss.

 

2013 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – COSBY KNOB SHELTER – JANUARY 12, 2013

Hikers: Phillip Boyd, Matt Brunn, Joe DeLisle, Alan Dishman, David Ewing, Steve Goodrich, Derek Porter, JD Schlandt, Kreis Wetherington

Notable Events: The weather is unseasonably warm in the Smokies with temps on the ridges in the 60’s at 4800+ feet.  Phillip and I meet the crew at Cosby Knob Shelter and I promptly lose my wedding ring while cutting firewood – the second time on a backpacking trip in less than ten years. The hike (for the rest of the group) is a repeat of a 2004 route that is followed in honor of Jeff Nausse who is lost at midnight the previous summer on Lake Lanier. This trip is planned nearly a year to the day of our last trip with Jeff. Ironically, a hiker dies from exposure at Tri-Corner Knob shelter only a few miles from our campsite at Cosby Knob. He starts his hike the same day that I do and JD is called by a NPS Ranger for information as part of the recovery effort. A few weeks later we venture out on the A.T. again but this time end up in a snowstorm and with 8 1/2 inches of snow – a true Klondike hike.  Total Mileage 7.4 mi, ~2547′ gain, 2547′ loss.

 

2012 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – MT. COLLINS SHELTER – JANUARY 14, 2012

Hikers: Steven Bracy, Roger Cardoe, Joe DeLisle, David Ewing, Steve Goodrich, Ken Knight, David McKinney, Greg Moehlick, Jeff Nause, Derek Porter, Chris Schwab

Notable Events: It rains most of the morning which sends Bracy, McKinney, Moehlick, and Nause hitching in to town to get lunch and a 12-pack. Brunn bails on the trip and I end up riding to Newfound Gap with Ken “The Weasel” Knight.  Roger ” The Camel” Cardoe meets us at Newfound Gap and we arrive to find a few of Porter’s crew already present at Mt. Collins Shelter. The rain stops in time for our hike but our attempts to get a fire going are futile – the first time I’ve seen Roger shut down on fire building in the backcountry.  Total Mileage 10 mi, ~1730′ gain, 1730′ loss.

 

2011 EASTATOE CREEK HERITAGE PRESERVE – EASTATOE CREEK – FEBRUARY 5, 2011

Hikers: Jim Bunting, Roger Cardoe, Steve Goodrich, Pat King

Notable Events: We set-up camp on Eastatoe Creek then hike a short distance to the Narrows to check out the waterfall. Roger stokes up his trademark fire and promptly blows out my Thermarest. This is the second of two winter trips that we do this season. Click to the Kephart Shelter hike for a Smokies backpacking trip that put us well in to the snow two months earlier.  Total Mileage 5.2 mi, 931′ gain, 931′ loss.

 

2010 NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST – ROCK GAP – JANUARY 31, 2010

Hikers: Steve Goodrich, Steve Snyder, Scott Snyder

Notable Events: A blizzard rolls through Western North Carolina and forces us to call about three audibles on our hike this weekend. We end up heading for Standing Indian but are stopped by a closed Forest Service gate and hike a short distance into a shelter near Rock Gap. At dusk two girls roll into camp with their dogs and have been hiking for three days.  Scott gets sick on their brownies and is nearly killed by a falling tree limb.  We watch the girls cook a giant kielbasa on the campfire and make many comments about it.  There is much laughing.  The next day, we give the girls a ride into Franklin (with the windows cracked).  Total Mileage 0.3 mi, ~250′ gain, 250′ loss.

 

2009 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – INDIAN CREEK FALLS – JANUARY 1, 2009

Hikers: Charlie Brady, Hazel Brady, Katie Brady, Ashley Goodrich, Maddie Goodrich, Steve Goodrich, Will Goodrich, Amy Knight, Kevin Knight, Sara Knight

Notable Events: We opt for a cabin on top of a mountain near Wesser, N.C. and have a righteous fire next to a hot tub. It’s extremely cold overnight but warms up enough to do some day-hiking in the Smokies on New Years Day. Ashley and I pack both kids on our back and Maddie makes her Klondike hike debut at the age of 1 1/2.   This is the first Klondike where we hike in frigid temps but don’t camp overnight in the backcountry.  Total Mileage 1.5 mi, ~100′ gain, 100′ loss.

 

In 2009, I broke from the Georgia Tech pack – opting for fewer miles and less elevation change on these winter excursions. You can follow this link for a look at their adventures which continue to this day.

 

2008 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – CHARLIE’S BUNION – FEBRUARY 22, 2008

Hikers: Matt Brunn, Joe DeLisle, Steve Goodrich, David McKinney, Greg Moehlich, Bill Miller, Derek Porter

Notable Events: We arrive in Cherokee in time to seek accommadations at the Harrah’s Hotel & Casino but it is booked solid. Moelich promptly loses $60 in 15 minutes and the 60+ chain-smoking crowd sends us scrambling for the Econo Lodge where we take up residence for the night. The next day we have to park on US 441 and hike a mile to Smokemont Campground to start our hike. McKinney and I drop a vehicle at Newfound Gap and take a short cut on the Bradley Fork Trail to close the gap on the rest of the group who use the Chasteen Creek Trail. Not only do we close the gap, but we gain 50 minutes on them and they are surprised to find us at Peck’s Corner Shelter when they arrive. The next day we hike in snow flurries and take a brief break at Charlie’s Bunion. We reach Ice Water Springs Shelter at 2:30pm and warm up to hot drinks. McKinney and I hike out to Newfound Gap by sunset. It snows 2-3″ in the late afternoon and evening. The others stay overnight and hike out the next day via the Dry Sluice Gap Trail to Bradley Fork. Total Mileage 28.8 mi, 14,922′ gain, 14,922′ loss.

 

2007 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – THUNDERHEAD MOUNTAIN – JANUARY 25, 2007

Hikers: Charlie Brady, Matt Brunn, Joe DeLisle, David Ewing, Steve Goodrich, David McKinney

Notable Events: Porter has a baby due on Monday and misses the annual hike for the first time in many years. We have the traditional Mexican dinner near Buford Highway so that he can see us off. McKinney forgets his insoles and suffers through the trip with sore feet. A front moves in on Day 2 and drops snow on us overnight and during Day 3. The park closes US 441 and is detouring traffic in to Gatlinburg – setting us up for a a 4 1/2 hour detour home. DeLisle has four wheel drive and is waived through the checkpoint. McKinney’s truck has two-wheel drive, but we flash four fingers and are also waived through. Thank God. Total Mileage 31.9 mi, 8696′ gain, 9625′ loss.

 

2006 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – CATALOOCHEE VALLEY – JANUARY 13, 2006

Hikers: Matt Brunn, Joe DeLisle, Steve Goodrich, David McKinney, Greg Moehlick, Jeff Nause, Derek Porter

Notable Events: At 10:20 am, we start the hike at Nellie with sunshine and temps in the 50’s. By the time we reach Sterling Ridge, a front has moved in and pelts us with rain that turns to snow at the Laurel Gap Shelter. The temperature drops over 40 degrees in the next 24 hours as the wind shifts to the northwest.  We move the picnic table inside the shelter and Porter loses a bet that it can’t be done. The next morning there is 3-6″ of snow on the ground and it continues to fall all day. The Polls Gap Trail is closed from blowdowns so we follow a road for approximately 11 miles to Balsam Mountain Campground. The weather forces us under the ranger cabin for shelter and it is bitter cold after dark. Sunday is clear and we take the Rough Fork Trail down to the Cataloochee area. We stop at an overlook on the drive out and a friendly ranger rolls in to the parking area. He informs us that we are locked in the park due to the storm and escorts us to the gate to let us out. Total Mileage ~ 31 mi, 15,000′ gain, 15,000′ loss.

 

2005 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – MOUNT LECONTE – FEBRUARY 3, 2005

Hikers: Matt Brunn, Joe DeLisle, David Ewing, Steve Goodrich, Chris Hayes, David McKinney, Greg Moehlich, Derek Porter, Lee Tucker

Notable Events: The majority of the group starts Day #1 at the Husky Gap Trail and hikes up to the Mt. Collins Shelter.  Tucker and Hayes break from the pack per park regulations and start at a different trailhead (which gives them an extra mile this morning).  The snow line begins around 4400 feet and we have it for the final four miles to the shelter.  Hayes decides to bail on Day #2, and Tucker follows him back down the Sugarland Mountain Trail.  The rest of us hike a mixture of the A.T. and the road down to Newfound Gap and enjoy the beers we stashed Thursday night while crossing the Trail en route to Gatlinburg.  Many tourists line the parking lot and the Appalachian Trail  and it’s nice to break away on the Boulevard Trail and to get some peace. There is 4-8 inches of snow along ridge and it’s slow going above 4400 feet.  We spend a cold night at the LeConte shelter with three guys from Kentucky, and Ewing briefly “borrows” their insulated down boots while they are out.  On Day #3, he hikes the 10+ mile route out with DeLisle and Porter while the rest of us sleep in and take the icy – yet much shorter – Alum Cave Trail to U.S. 441.  We hitchhike to the Sugarland’s Visitor Center and see a bunch of wild turkey in a meadow.  This with the bobcat and fox sightings on the drive in make for a solid wildlife experience this trip.  Total Mileage ~ 33 mi, 14,200′ gain, 14,700′ loss.

 

2004 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – MOUNT CAMMERER – JANUARY 16, 2004

Hikers: Matt Brunn, Joe DeLisle, David Ewing, Steve Goodrich, Allen Kennedy, David McKinney, Jeff Nause, Derek Porter, Lee Tucker

Notable Events: Had a job interview with EarthLink on Monday (MLK day), so drove the Pathfinder to Waynesville, N.C. to meet the crew with plans to bail on Sunday.  McKinney caught a ride with me and ended up sticking to my itinerary.  Hiked nearly 4000 feet on Day 1 crossing Mt. Sterling – which had snow on the 5820′ summit.  Tried to get #3 Wake v’s #2 Duke on the radio during the hike but had no luck (and we lost the game anyway).  It started to rain within a mile of Laurel Gap Shelter, then continued to rain through mid-afternoon on Sunday.  On Day 2, the Boyz got 2-3″ of snow while hiking the A.T. to Cosby Knob Shelter while McKinney and I got drenched on our hike down the Gunter Fork Trail.  Both McKinney and I fell in to Big Creek while fording the stream, got soaked, and were very happy to reach the truck around 3pm.  Stopped at Mountain Mama’s Kuntry Kitchen on the drive home for some eats – but it is no longer in operation.  Bummer – once a great stop!  Total Mileage (MLK guys) 33.4 mi, 16,700 gain, 16,700 loss.

 

2003 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – GREGORY BALD – JANUARY 11, 2003

Hikers: Matt Brunn, David Ewing, Steve Goodrich, Ron Lee, Greg Moehlich, Derek Porter, Jim Woodward

Notable Events: Road with Porter, Brunn, and Moehlich to Fontana, NC then had some beers and played Ewing’s throw-back Colleco Football game late night while Brunn finished packing at the motel by 1am.  Day 1 we hiked the LakeShore Trail past some vintage (and rusting) early 1900’s cars, then discovered an awesome campsite at #90.  Hiked past it to stealth camp on a slope in Porter’s Mega-mid for the night.  It was so cold that Ewing cracked his tooth on frozen candy.  Joe planned to hike in and join us tonight – but was a no show due to work.  On Day 2, we climbed to the A.T. then hiked southbound to Mollie’s Ridge Shelter and walked across some hard packed ice in the last two miles.  Day 3, we logged a double digit day and climbed Gregory Bald – the highlight of the trip – and spent two hours on the summit.  The others took a detour on the A.T. and were waiting at Twentymile with chips and beers when we arrived.  Total Mileage 38.7 mi, 12,400′ gain, 12,900′ loss.

 

2002 APPALACHIAN TRAIL/BARTRAM TRAIL – CHEOAH BALD – JANUARY 26, 2002

Hikers: Steven Bracy, Matt Brunn, Joe DeLisle, David Ewing, Steve Goodrich, Greg Moehlich, Ed Moreadith, Derek Porter, Dave Touwsma, Jim Woodward

Notable Events: This was my first backpacking trip after lasik surgery and it was nice to wake up in the backcountry and not need contacts for a change.  Day 1 we hiked the A.T. from Wayah Bald to Wesser Bald Shelter and I managed to get a fire going tonight despite everyone’s doubts.  Day 2 we hiked 15 miles down to the NOC for lunch then climbed Cheoah Bald.  The lengthy climb (and 50+ lb backpack) had me roll in to camp after dark.  Tracked the final mile on a new Garmin GPS and correctly calculated a post dusk arrival.  Day 3 we hiked the Bartram Trail and followed a stream five miles down to the road.  Arrived solo in the wrong location but so did half the remaining group.  Radioed Ewing and Moehlich to come get us.  Total Mileage 34.6 mi, 8766′ gain, 12,114′ loss.

In 2002, I joined up with some guys from Georgia Tech to continue these winter backpacking trips in Western North Carolina – albeit at a much higher intensity level. Many of these guys had thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in the 1990’s, and I had met two of them on the A.T. in 1994. You can follow this link for a look at their winter adventures which continue to this day.

 

2001 NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST – WHITEWATER FALLS – JANUARY 27, 2001

Hikers: Charlie Brady, Roger Cardoe, Steve Goodrich

Notable Events: This is Charlie’s first of many backpacking trips. Temps in the low teens are off-set by three hours of firewood collection and a raging inferno that flattens my Thermarest.  We hike a loop using the Foothills Trail starting and ending at the scenic Whitewater Falls.  Total Mileage 5.1 mi, 1286′ gain, 1286′ loss.

 

2000 BENTON MACKAYE TRAIL – TOCCOA RIVER – FEBRUARY 5, 2000

Hikers: Steve Goodrich, John Zedd

Notable Events: A slick layer of ice covers a few inches of snow and Zedd’s crampons pay dividends for him on the trail. We arrive at the Toccoa River to find another backpacker camping in these frigid temps but are unable to get a fire going and end up sacking out early.   Total Mileage 5.6 mi, 1117’ gain, 973′ loss.

 

1999 CAESARS HEAD STATE PARK – MATTHEWS CREEK – FEBRUARY 6, 1999

Hikers: Roger Cardoe, Steve Goodrich, Chris Kasischke

Notable Events: We hike a loop through the park, have stellar views from a suspension bridge over Raven Cliff Falls, then cross a cable to find a nice site by a stream. The State Park bans backcountry campfires shortly after our trip. It takes us 1 1/2 hours to hike out of the gorge, then Sikle jogs between trailheads to retrieve our truck.  Total Mileage 8.6 mi, 3607’ gain, 3428′ loss.

 

1998 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – BRADLEY FORK – JANUARY 3, 1998

Hikers: Steve Goodrich, Steve Snyder

Notable Events: There’s so much snow on the ground that Snyder and I completely miss our designated campsite on the first night. We backtrack, find it, then spend an hour digging out the fire ring and getting wood for the night. The next day, we labor through knee deep snow on the ridges, take turns breaking trail, and hike less than a mile an hour on the Hughes Ridge Trail. We camp at campsite #49 on the second night then return to Smokemont the following day.  Total Mileage 16.6 mi, 7543’ gain, 7543′ loss.

 

1997 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST – SHINING ROCK (VIA BIG EAST FORK) – JANUARY 1, 1997

Hikers: Steve Goodrich, Steve Snyder

Notable Events: We arrive to find the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed to Graveyard Fields for the winter and end up hiking to Shining Rock via the Big East Fork. Despite hiking next to water most of the day, we climb the ridge and can’t find a drop. With darkness looming and light rain falling, Snyder and I discover a mud puddle (with a boot print in it) and use my water filter until it breaks. We salvage enough water for dinner and sip whiskey as light mist pelts us on a high ridge where we tuck in under some fir trees.  Our campsite is likely Dog Loser Knob (5761′) – but there’s no way to confirm it.  The next morning, I am forced to put my contacts in with iodine water when I realize that I forgot saline solution.  Much screaming ensues.   Snyder is heard laughing in the distance and I resolve to never forget saline again.  Total Mileage 7.8 mi, 2971’ gain, 2971′ loss.

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