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| Charlie's route data projected on Livelox. |
Twelve years ago, U-dog and I ran the Grand Loop of Linville Gorge in 10h50m. But alas I am a poor historian as memory of all hardship from that journey has faded. Only the route's beauty lingers in mind. And it's a gorgeous route...
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| Charlie and Kevin atop Hawksbill. |
Last weekend, Charlie and Kevin joined me for an attempt at the Grand Loop on what has become an annual March Misadventure (see Hot Springs Infinity Loop). We faced a rude awakening starting clockwise out of Pine Gap.
Navigation was a challenge along these unofficial and overgrown trails. Progress was terribly slow, but never once did we stop smiling: it was a perfect day! Soon we were traversing over, under and around the many scenic outcroppings.
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| Kevin and Charlie atop the Chimneys. |
We were having a blast, but there was no way we were still on pace to finish the entire 39-mile Grand Loop before dark. We decided to cut it short by dropping down to the river at Cambric. We found the ford to be pretty straight-forward.
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| Me and Kevin crossing the river (PC: Charlie). |
Despite our shortcut, it took us over 11 hours to make it back to Pine Gap. Our adventure amounted to about 30 miles and 9,500' of climbing. Good times! But note to my future self: remember rhodo-choked, rock garden, blowdowns etc.
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| Looking upstream along the Linville Gorge Trail. |
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