Albert and his Mountain: Days 10-11

We got our shuttle back to the trail and set off on a cloudy but dry hike up the mountain. Because we had spent the previous day lounging around and resting, our bodies were feeling healthy and ready to hike on. The grade of this mountain was 3 times easier than any other climb. It felt like a leisurely stroll to the top. As we summited, the clouds began to clear, but not enough for a view so we pushed on to have lunch at the bottom of the hill. NOW the weather cleared and it was a bright and sunny day. We threw our packs down and had a ramen party for lunch. What is a ramen party you may ask? We all had ramen for lunch. That was it. Sorry it was not more exciting but It’s the little things in life you know? We cruised through miles today because the terrain had been the easiest we had seen. If this was what North Carolina was like I never wanted to leave. Albert Mountain was the only thing standing in between me and my sleep. Albert Mountain had a fire tower at the top and was said to have a beautiful view. We walked up to the base of our .3 rock climb of 400 feet to the top. This was the end of our day. Walking 14 miles flat may not have seemed that bad but the last thing you wanted to do was climb up a cliff. Danny and Kory pushed ahead with a sudden burst of energy that they had to have dug deep in their bodies to find. Kyle and I on the other hand crawled up the .3 chucking our poles and cursing Albert and his mountain with every step. Foot after foot and hand after hand we pulled ourselves up the mountain. Just when I wanted to give up, I could hear Danny cheering at the top. I struggled the rest of the way and threw my pack to the ground. I climbed up the tower to the most magnificent view I’ve seen yet. The mountainous valley below spanned for as far as the eye could see. The clouds hovered in the curves and dips of the mountains just above the top of the trees. It was worth the climb.