Back

2/4
Obviously, southbounders will remember the climb up Hump Mountain just as northbounders remember the ascent of Roan. The east slope of Hump was densely forested from a point just below the summit and beyond; however, the Appalachian Trail broke out into the clear one last time, one mile later, at a place called Doll Flats.

3/4
From this large, level meadow were great views southward into North Carolina, and, to the west, one last excellent farewell look at Hump Mountain’s summit. From Doll Flats, the Appalachian Trail descended north off the state line ridge into Tennessee, and I said goodbye to North Carolina as well. Two states down.

The path was a recent relocation; the soft ground, not yet compacted by foot traffic, kept crumbling away beneath my boots.

4/4
Many stretches were overgrown, and the route was constantly blocked by fallen trees. It was slow going most of the way to the bottom of that descent, where the Appalachian Trail crossed Tennessee Highway 19E.

From my book Then the Hail Came (A Humorous and Truthful Account of a 1983 Appalachian Trail Thru-hike). Available in paperback, audiobook and eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6

You can read or listen to my book for free if you are a Kindle Unlimited eBook or an Audible Plus audiobook subscriber. Both options are available from Amazon, where the paperback, eBook or audiobook can also be purchased.