Day 18
03.10.08
Rufus – Stealth Campsite
I’m up early this morning. We have a 0.7 hike to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where I can get a nice hot breakfast. I push down the trail with a motivation fueled by the thought of food. I get to the restaurant by 9 and order a beakfast fit for a king.
We decide to hang around the N.O.C. for the rest of the day to eat and check out the outfitter. Hours go by with nothing but relaxing and eating. We share a table with Peace of Mind and Sherpa and they look beat up. Toad, Chili, Memphis, and I sit joking and laughing the whole meal. I would look at Peace of Mind and Sherpa after a few punchlines and nothing. I feel bad for these guys, they are obviously having a rough trip.
We slowly start to get things situated for leaving, Chili decides to strap a 12 pack of beer to his pack to hike out. I lift his pack and it had to weigh 60 pounds. Pounder and I think he is crazy for carrying the extra weight. We have a tough climb out, but we only plan to do about 2.5 miles.
Chili and I make the site within an hour or so, which I’m impressed due to the extra load. I spend some time to rebuild the fire ring and collect fire wood. Dark is looming and now everyone is at the site and I have to get a fire going.
We all start on dinner and Chili dives into the case of beer. After an hour or so Pounder starts in on the beer as well, and makes a comment the Chili was a genius for carrying it up. We spend several hours passing jokes around the fire.
What’s a campfire without the Keepataw conch?
Good Work!
Pretty tough climb out of Nantahala Gorge for a 12-pack – impressive. Surprised you guys stealthed there, there is a nice shelter at the top of that climb. With one creeeeeeepy privy.