Day 12 – Betty Creek Gap to Rock Gap

“I’m on the top of the world lookin’ down on creation

And the only explanation I can find

Is the love that I’ve found, ever since you’ve been around

Your love’s put me at the top of the world” – The Carpenters

Mostly sunny, high of 59.

Up at 6:50. Chilly this morning and very damp. The campsite is in a deep hollow with a small stream nearby. It was a letdown last night, but everything is very wet this morning. Almost like it rained last night. Only got down to about 43 degrees, but feels a LOT colder with the damp. Tent is very wet. Need to dry it out at some point today.

We want to get to Franklin, NC by early afternoon, so we got moving a little faster today. Ate, packed, and headed out at 8:00.

We will hit a major milestone on the trail after our first 2 miles today. We get to climb up Albert Mountain to the firetower at the 100-mile mark NOBO on the trail. We have a very clear day for it.

That thing was a bitch…last .3 miles was practically straight up. But we made it!

We climbed to the top of the Albert Mountain fire tower and took in some of the most amazing views so far on the trail. Reaching this point has been one of my two big physical and mental goals for the start of the trail. The second is completing the hike through the Smoky Mountains in about 2 more weeks. I have seen tons of videos and pictures of other hikers reaching this point, many of them in rain or clouds. I am so lucky to reach it on a crystal-clear day.

YouTube video from Albert Mountain firetower.

Just a little bit down the trail is the actual 100 mile mark made out of stones.

It is now 10:30 and we have about 6.2 miles until Rock Gap and there is a town shuttle bus at 12:45 that we want to catch. Time to speed hike!

We just made the 12:45 shuttle bus from Rock Gap to Franklin. Had to haul ass the last 6.2 miles, but made it by 4 minutes!!! That’s 3 miles an hour..that wore my calves out for today! Everyone from camp last night was already there. Looking forward to a beer and pizza soon!

The bus dropped us at The Grove Hostel about 1:30. Our English friend Phil is also here for the night. Great to catch up with him again. More on the hostel,in a later blog.

We will be here for three nights. Mike’s girlfriend is meeting him tomorrow (Friday) afternoon for the weekend. I need a zero and would rather not do a double zero, but I also would rather not start hiking alone yet. Oh well, hues I just have to endure a bed, real bathroom, electricity, and good food for two whole days. I will be head in back to trail at 8:00 Sunday morning.

We got settled into the hostel. I have a private room Thursday and Friday night then a bunk in the communal space Saturday night. Hung up my tent to dry out, got a much needed shower, got my laundry started, and got a ride into town from Unfiltered, one of the two owners. It’s only a 10 minute walk to downtown but my body appreciated the ride. 

First stop was Outdoor 76, a very good outfitter in downtown Franklin. I will resupply on Saturday. Mike spent an hour with their shoe experts and bought a pair of Topa hiking shoes that are similar to my Hoka Speedgoats. They should help,a lot with his Achilles issues. We also got advised by multiple people to keep the miles per day low until we get out of the Smoky Mountains. Let the body acclimate.

Walked two blocks to Lazy Hiker Brewing and each got a pizza from the food truck and a few adult beverages. Pepperoni with HOT honey, nice!

We headed back to the hostel and made a quick stop at Dollar General. Got back at 7:45 and chatted with Phil again and made our goodbyes. He will be headed out early tomorrow and I likely will not see him again. He has 2 more weeks on the trail before he heads home. We may catch him again, but it is doubtful.

I started recharging all my electronics, including both power banks. Everything is dead or darn near dead. Caught up on a week’s worth of crappy news (why did I bother?), talked to Dana, did some planning for the next 6 days of hiking, read, and slept at 11:00.

Technical Notes:

• Big Sur bar: 350
• Snickers: 250
• Trail mix: 135
• Donut: 200
• Dr Pepper: 150
• Pepperoni Pizza: 1700
• Beer: 200
• Seltzer: 200
• Coke: 150
• Water: 3 liters 
• Miles: 8.4
• Time: 4.5
• Elevation gain: 
• Calories consumed: 3350
• Calories burned: 3500