Linville Gorge - May 2010

[eagleJ]

Just made it back. Sorry to hear about the knee Jerry, hope it heals fast. It was slick in there I fell on my *** four times, luckily no injuries just bruised butt and ego. We hiked almost to Pinchin before meeting up with Hawkeye and Ken, they told us about Jerry's mishap and the other group had probably turned around and would be behind us. So we turned and headed back. we met up with Shug and Hickery at the camp from the fall hang, Stormcrow showed up and hour later. Had a great time. The other group didn't show up until the morning.

[Running Feather]

Jerry,

Sorry you missed out. A wild time was had by ALL. Trip report and photos to follow.

Right now Aleve, more ice, a cold beer, and rest is what my battered body needs. (not to mention emptying my pack of everything that has been soaked in sweat or rain for the last three days)

To all who made it - Whoo-Hoo what a ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all for making it happen

Here's a little teaser - Profile of the hike start to finish.

[Traverse]

Many thanks to the "Hammock Guys" Hedcase, Skippy, Cookie, Nooner, Capt Bill, Hangin' Burrito and Running Feather I met on Linville Gorge Shortoff Mountain Trail. They made a convert to the hammock system of backpacking.

[Running Feather]

Many thanks to the "Hammock Guys" Hedcase, Skippy, Cookie, Nooner, Capt Bill, Hangin' Burrito and Running Feather I met on Linville Gorge Shortoff Mountain Trail. They made a convert to the hammock system of backpacking.

Glad you came aboard. Hammock hanging won't let you down (Doh!).

[ikemouser]

Hope you heal up jerry! I tore some ligaments in my right knee, took me a year to recover. =( hope yours is faster.

[wisenber]

Soundwitness and I got to enjoy a lovely light show Friday night while hiking on the ridge between Tablerock and Shortoff. Now I'm gonna have to see if I can remember what all I promised when I was praying through the lightning bolts.

[lazy river road]

Thanks guys. I'm thinking mid to late October would be perfect. About the same time as last year. The leaves are changing, cool weather.
Jerry

Please can we not make it the weekend of October 1-2-3, Im getting married on the Third and I dont think my Fiance will let me go hanging that weekend . Late October would be awesome just my 2 cents Gland it sounds like every one had fun and made it back safley. Looking forward to some pictures.

[Running Feather]

Soundwitness and I got to enjoy a lovely light show Friday night while hiking on the ridge between Tablerock and Shortoff. Now I'm gonna have to see if I can remember what all I promised when I was praying through the lightning bolts.

That must have been Glorious, watching Mother Nature strut her stuff, while puckering of certain body parts in others.

Blame HB. He quoted lieutenant Dan (Forest Gump) from under his tarp, "You call this a storm?"

[Ken]

Jerry, I was very sorry to hear of your mishap. I hope you are healing quickly and have no lasting problems. Sure did miss getting to see you.

Hawk-Eye, Jim and I started down Pinchin just after 9am on Saturday. It became hot almost immediately. Jim carried his shears and clipped weeds and briars back all the way. Hawk-Eye had some problems, but I'll let him explain that. Things were better after entering the woods near the river and we soon
started north.

We had info that the main group "might" have turned around and would be coming south, but didn't really know anything for sure. Information is hard to come by in the wilderness!! We saw a few folks camping along the river. They had not seen the group. We continued north.

I was climbing up out of a gully and ran into to two hikers moving south. They asked if we were camping in hammocks. I said, "you must be Cooldays and EagleJ". It was, but we still didn't know where the main group was.
I said that they might be coming from the north. They decided to hike back that way as far as last October's camp. That was probably bad advice on my part, but things worked out.

A bit later we were navigating another little canyon and here comes Stormcrow in hyper-hike mode from behind us. He informs that the group is indeed coming from the south and soon we are caught up to by Hanging Burrito, Running Feather, Hedcase and Skippy. We were then a few tenths of a mile from some of the camps in between Pinchin and Conley. Everyone was ready to camp, so we used those. A little later, CapitalBill, Cookie, Slowhike, Nooner and Mtncmpr all rolled in. Cooldays and EagleJ had gone on north, but I knew Stormcrow was up that way, and they'd probably hook up. Turns out Shug and Hickery (fruitcake!!) camped with them too!

So, things were a bit chaotic, but as we all know, the great outdoors can really mess with your plans.

Sunday morning Slowhike's friend Jerome came hiking in. He'd spent the night south of Pinchin at Dellinger Chimney.

Jim and I packed up and were ready to hike out Conley about lunchtime. Jerome hiked with us to catch a ride back to Pinchin. At the "Halloween Camp" we ran into Stormcrow, Hickery and Shug. Had some good conversation with them. Shug and Hickery were really in good spirits and seemed to have had a great week in the gorge. I'm sure great stories and videos are to come out of that. After shaking hands and saying goodbyes we started up Conley and parted for home.

My hat is off to all you guys who made the entire loop. I don't think my feet would have made it. You're all Gorge Rats, and I say that in the most complimentary way! Can't wait to hear everyones story. Tell us what Linville threw at you, and how you dealt with it.

Thanks for kicking it off Jerry. See you on the next one!

Ken

[NCPatrick]

Sorry to hear about your injury. Hope you're mending quickly. Glad you got to take some pictures of everyone though. I wasn't able to make it because of my wedding anniversary. Maybe next time.