Day 18 Max Patch and Snowbird

Writing from my tent, thinking back over a very eventful and productive day. 


It’s hard to believe that we were in town this morning and that I slept in a hotel last night. The hotel feels like a different world from the campsite where I am now. But only 13.5 hours have passed since I woke up this morning. 


We shuttled from Newport back to Davenport Gap at 8:30AM. Before the shuttle we packed up and ate breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast was surprisingly good. We began hiking by 9:15. The first part of the day included a road walk, crossing over a river and under a highway before heading back up into the hills. 


As we ascended Snowbird Mountain we could tell that there was snow and frost up in the mountains. The ascent was not difficult, only really getting steep in a few spots. On the way up we hit the frost line, and the trees were coated in ice. 




We had awesome views once we reached the summit of Snowbird. 





After Snowbird, only 14 miles and Max Patch Mountain stood between us and our campsite. Overall the elevation change on the way up Max Patch is gradual. The summit howled with wind but was as beautiful as expected. Max Patch has a grassy bald summit and looks back into the Smokies and forward into the Roan Highlands. 




After Max Patch we gradually descended for 5 miles and reached our campsite around 6PM. We hiked 22 miles today. 


My ankle held up well. I took an ibuprofen at 11:30 as my calf started to get a little tight. I didn’t notice any pain until around 5, when I think the ibuprofen began wearing off. Even then, the pain was manageable and it didn’t cramp at all. I believe it’s on the mend. 


Tonight will be in the high 20’s. We covered a lot of ground today, and set ourselves up for a 16 mile day tomorrow, going through the town of Hot Springs where we can grab any extra resupply items and eat a meal at the diner. 


I love noticing the difference between where we woke up and where we went to sleep. Max Patch and Snowbird felt like worlds of their own. This morning we were inside a hotel room and now I’m lying comfortably in my sleeping bag listening to a mountain stream and the wind while feeling the cold air on my nose.  


Goodnight,

Walker 



If you want to follow Tyler or Spencer, here are their logs as well:


Tyler: https://tylerat2024.blogspot.com/?m=1


Spencer: https://www.instagram.com/baxter.bound?utm_source=qr&igsh=MWx4MzRqa3M4dGk3Mw==

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