Day 19: Escaping the Vortex

Starting Point: Wesser Bald Shelter (131.2)

Ending Point: Spring Campsite (139.6)

Total Miles: 8.4 miles

Steps: 25,551

Achievements: Escaped a Town Without Spending the Night

We woke up to a clear sky for a change.  We could see the views!

On paper this was supposed a simple hike into the Nantahala Outdoor Center.  It was 5.5 miles, almost all downhill.  We'd have a hamburger at the restaurant and resupply for three nights.  I figured it would take two hours.  I was wrong!

That was the most difficult climb down.  There were challenging rock scrambles, downed trees, and a rough trail with plenty of roots and scree.

It took me three and a half hours to get down to the NOC.

At the restaurant, I ran into Atlas.

The hamburger was excellent.  Then we resupplied and attempted our escape.

There is a thru-hiking term called vortex.  It is the drag you feel leaving town.  The vortex was extremely strong.  I dogged the whole 2.5 miles to the camp we selected.

The average hiker does only nine miles per day in this section.  It is going to be rough tomorrow with lots of climbs.  Fortunately, we knocked off a 1000' feet by hiking these 2.5 miles.