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Erwin TN - Damascus VA (344.2-470.9)

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A night of rest in Erwin turned into a surprise zero day. Feeling somewhat rested Hiker 109 and I set out across the bridge to the train tracks at the edge of town. Rainy and cold, but ready to hike. The climb up Curley Maple Gap Shelter was a long and steady climb. We arrived at the shelter and met DoubleTime and Mike with the dog (Piper) who had stayed there the previous night and Dozer who hiked up shortly after us. A short conversation and snack break we set off again. Each at our own pace we quickly got separated. Arriving at Indian Grave Gap we I was met by a lady in a car who jumped out in a hurry to stop me. Emoji was her name, providing trail magic on a cold and rainy day. She handed me a poem about beauty spot that she had wrote herself. I thanked her and continued up to beauty spot and soon after, Unaka mountain. Unaka was an incredible dense spruce forest that felt otherworldly. I was certain there would be a witch handing out apples somewhere in the forest. The day ended j
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Day 18-20 (274.9-344.2)

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A day of rest… well almost 24 hours of straight sleep if we’re being completely honest. I head out the door of laughing heart hostel and make my way across town to wander back off into the wilderness. My stomach still a little upset from whatever it was that hit me, which I suspect to be food poisoning. I had zero appetite for anything, drinking water even felt unsettling. The climb up lovers leap was a bit of a struggle, slower pace but managing the hike none the less. The views at the summit, looking back to hot springs were astounding. Looking over the town that I had just spent nearly 3 days in felt awesome.  The day, much like every other, pointless ups and downs and the trail that skirts around the tops of most mountains. I left before the sun had peaked over the horizon and planned to stop by night, the only real way that I’d get some miles in feeling the way I did. The hike was spent mostly alone, though I can’t complain, visiting Whiterock and Fire Scald Knob had definitely ma
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