2012 March « HughHarris

We made it! Backpacking To Cosby Knob & Davenport Gap Up on The AT.

The FCA men: KC Jorgenson, Michael Brooks, Andy Webb, Sam Deloach, Adrian Young, Paden Ritchie, Ghislain Vander Elst, Dave Deloach, Chad Webb, Jimmy Webb (75 yr old Dad & Granddad), & Hugh Harris made the trek up to the Appalachian Trail and the two shelters over this past weekend.

We spent Friday night at at Fox Fire Campground in Hartford, TN just up the road from the trail head and enjoyed the storm that blew through the area but missed out on all of the real bad weather. Just some rain and high wind.

We started our hike at Big Creek Camp Ground in the GSNP and headed up Big Creek trail to the Lower Gap trail that took us up to the AT and the Cosby Knob shelter . Quite the climb. Warm sunny day and lots of sweating.

Great fire in the shelter by the FCA guys and we spent th evening with some AT “through hikers” on their way to Maine and the “ridge runner” Bill who overseas the AT. The next morning we awoke to a light dusting of snow and drop in temperature. We packed up and headed East on the AT toward Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower. It was snowing steadily the entire section of the AT and the wind was very strong. Temps continued to drop to the point that everyone’s Camel Back water systems were frozen solid along with ice in our Nalgene bottles.

When we arrived at the fire tower the clouds broke just enough to see the mountains to the East and I40. We made it to Davenport Gap shelter by 1:00 pm to find a much less used, dusty, dark hovel but much appreciated none the less for its fireplace and roof. We were joined that night by 2 different groups so we had a total of 16 in the shelter. The FCA guys did an outstanding job of chopping firewood and building a roaring fire that lasted throughout the night. Great job guys!

The next morning we packed up and headed down the mountain spurred on by the thoughts and smells of fresh rolls and steaks at the nearest Texas Roadhouse for lunch as is our custom. I must say this group of 2 seniors and 4 freshmen represented FCA well. Us older guys did all we could to keep up with them. Well done gentlemen, well done! Can’t wait til next year.

March 8, 2012 Posted by hughharrisfca | Education, Exercise | Leave a comment

FCA Backpacking Trip – Smokies Here We Come!

It’s that time of year again and the FCA guys are headed to the mountains. This time we are going to the far East side of Great Smokey National Park and hiking a new trail. We will spend the night tonight at Fox Fire Campground near Hartford, TN off I-40 & then Sat. morning head up Big Creek Trail and connect with Low Gap Trail and on up to the Appalachian Trail and the Cosby Knob shelter for the 1st night stay. On Sunday we will hike the AT to the Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower and then on to the Davenport Gap shelter for Sunday night. Monday we hike back down via Chestnut Trail and back to the Big Creek Campground. About 19 miles total.