4 mile hike w/ pack
12, 12 and 11 handstand push-ups
This weekend, the family headed up to Max Patch Bald near the Tennessee border. Our last attempt was stifled by sub freezing temperatures and a complete foggy whiteout. This time the cards were in our favor.
This bald was initially cleared to provide pasture land halfway across the mountains from North Carolina to Tennessee. Today it is mowed, grazed and occasionally burned to provide a beautiful 360 degree view of the North and South Pisgah Mountains and of The Great Smoky Mountain National Park system. We left our house (2200'ASL) in 75 degree weather and watched the mercury fall to 55 degrees by the time we got to the summit of the bald (4620'ASL). Once everyone was bundled up, it turned out to be a beautiful day, albeit very windy, with blue skies all around. 
We chose the figure 8 route leading us around both short and long loops. The longer loop led us down around the base of the bald through the forest below.
True to form, Ellie was far more interested in finding and stashing acorns in the front pocket of her overhauls than the long range mountain views. The last highlight from this great hike was me cranking out sets of 12, 12 and 11 handstand push-ups while Bethany fed Noah.
No comments:
Post a Comment