May 1, 2021

Got a late start this morning.  It was cold and it was hard to get out of my sleeping bag.  I was nearly the last person to leave the camp site.  The strong winds from last night would die down by mid morning and it warmed up over the course of the day. The start is a climb over Unaka Mountain with an elevation of approximately 5,200 feet.  Since our camp was at over 4,000 feet it wasn’t a huge climb. Today would be walking up and down smaller slopes rather than the long continuous climb of yesterday yet when done I would have ascended over 3,200 feet so nearly as much.

My pace was slow and plodding. I have been consciously trying to stay hydrated and snack to keep my energy up.  I feel sluggish today.

Much of the time the hike is in woods but there are times we cross fields that expose the peaks ahead.

Stopped at spring to get water and this little fellow kept peeking his head out from the rocks to watch.

My Red Sox hat gives me away as a New Englander and I am suprised by the number of hikers I come across who are from there as well.  We are well represented.


Beautiful pasture and down to the left was another water source where I watered up before stopping for the day.


Fatigue came earlier today so I decided to stop at the top of Iron Mountain for the day.  I had hiked about 12 miles.  Had the camp site to myself near the top of Iron Mountain.

Made dinner, tied my ursack food sack to a tree about 50 yards away and climbed into my sleeping bag for the night.