Appalachian Trail Spivey Gap-Sam's Gap Trailaversary

**medicineman03** · 03-10-2015, 10:40

This last weekend was the perfect weekend for a hike and hang. Beautiful clear blue skies and mostly clear dry trail. I headed out to celebrate the start of my thru-hike 12 years ago. I drove up from Atlanta Friday mourning and stopped in Black Mountain to visit my 91yo Granddad who was a huge inspiration in my endeavor of thru-hiking. We had an awesome authentic German meal in Black Mountain then I headed over to Asheville and stayed at my Mom's house where I devoured our family favorite of cat head biscuits, tomato gravy, and bacon for breakfast before hitting the trail. My Mom followed me up to Sam's Gap to drop my car off and then shuttled me to Spivey Gap. I headed out at about noon and meandered the 5 or so miles over High Rocks toward Big Bald Shelter and set up camp at a campsite just north of the shelter. I set up my new hammock "The Spruce Goose" and made a fire. I kicked back and enjoyed my Pack-It-Gourmet state fair chili while sip'n on a Greybeard IPA and then hot totti's for dessert. That night was cold and windy and I slept very comfortably but a bit cold. Next day I hiked up to Big Bald and took in the 360 degree views. The remainder of the hike was a beautiful ridge walk along some stellar trail. The last few miles I was in water conservation mode when I ran across a trail magic stash consisting of Capri Sun lemonades. That hit the spot! All in all a pretty good weekend if I do say so myself.