Sat, Jun 18 2016 - Key swap Unicoi Gap - Dick’s Creek Gap 16.7 (View Original Event Details)
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Another glorious day on the AT. Wynn's team hit the ground at Unicoi Gap and headed north, immediately beginning the steep climb up Rocky Mountain. Ascending nearly 1,100 feet in just over a mile provided a solid heart-pounding warmup before marching steadily through Indian Grave Gap and Tray Gap. But we all know what it means when we hit a Gap, right? Time to go back up. So up they went, rewarded at the summit of Tray Mountain with spectacular views. Then it was back down, where Team Wynn and Team Lisa met somewhere between Steeltrap Gap and the Blue Ridge Swag* where the car keys were swapped. Team Wynn continued along through Sassafras Gap and Addis Gap to begin the ascent up Kelly Knob. (Do NOT underestimate Kelly just because she's not called a "Mountain." This seemingly never-ending, soul-crushing approach had much of the group cursing under their breath). After finally making it to the top of Kelly (#&*@*!!) they moved quickly through Deep Gap and McClure Gap before encountering a surprise at the overlook near Powell Mountain. Wynn startled a large rattlesnake from underneath a log, and the entire team was treated to the warning of rattles when Wynn got just a little closer to snap a photo. The team decided that was a good time to head back down the final descent to the cars at Dick's Creek.
Meanwhile... Lisa's southbound team had hopped on the AT at Dick's Creek and... ok, just follow Team Wynn's adventures backwards. Minus the rattler sighting. We took a .2 mile detour off trail just before the top of Tray Mountain, through dense rhododendrons, and were rewarded with stunning vistas. Most of our under-the-breath cursing occurred during the ascent to Rocky Mountain. This was our final big climb of the day, which we had largely discounted since we were focusing on the challenges of Tray Mountain. Rocky's many steps and switchbacks left us grateful for the breeze and rest at the overlook at the top... but wait! that wasn't the top. Don't you just love those false summits?! The descent down Rocky was technically difficult, but we all finished together as a team.
The two groups reconvened at the Troll Tavern in Helen, enjoying our well-earned beverages and "authentic" German fare. As we dined, Wynn and Lisa were already conjuring up future key swaps. Stay tuned.
*A Swag is an old mountain term for a Gap between two lofty peaks. We certainly appreciated this 3-mile long ridgecrest with only minor elevation changes.
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