Everything about the scene brings back multiple memories. The young men on either side of me are 4 or 5 years older than me, more experienced at backpacking and most everything else, too. The location is Carver's Gap, just below Roan Mountain on the Appalachian Trail, my most frequented section of trail overall. Yeah, I lost count somewhere above 25 times I had been on part or all of this 13.5-mile section that includes the Yellow Mtn Gap of Overmountain Men Revolutionary War fame, Grassy and Jane Balds, Hump Mtn (5587' with 360-degree unobstructed views), Bradley Gap and spring for excellent tent camping, and Yellow Mtn Gap Shelter (i.e. barn). The gap now has a wooden split rail fence, paved parking lot across the road that is crowded on weekends, and a graveled and graded switched back trail up through the woods to the top of Grassy Bald unlike the straight up eroded one you see here. And look at that sign. They don't make them of that quality now. This was nearly the beginning of my association with my backpacking partner on the right of the picture. Looking hardly old enough to be more than halfway through high school, I am excited and full of vigor and green as all get out. I have the same pack as my partner. I sport my new Bass double insulated hiking boots all shiny with Snow Seal wax. I wear my Fostline gaiters for mud that I sewed myself on my mother's machine. We all make the mistake of wearing cotton pants, their jeans and my gray corduroys folding awkwardly on my bowed legs, that block no wind and retain all moisture. I have my recently purchased, used purple plaid, heavy wool shirt that I still have to this day. Growing up in Knoxville, I have a Volunteer Orange and White cap that probably poorly kept my head warm. The leather gloves would have been worse for a soul whose hands just don't circulate blood well. I remedied that soon with wool liners and cotton lined, leather mitts. The picture doesn't well reveal it, but I have a beard of sorts, really a goatee and thin mustache because I could grow no more. My classmates in high school thought of me as confident but I well hid my deep feelings of inadequacy and bouts with depression. I loved everything outdoors and challenging to the body. My wife who was about 6 years future of this picture once said that God made me poor to keep me out of trouble. I probably would have gotten involved in some pretty wild outdoor pursuits given the money. I settled for a pack, a steep grade, hill and draw, woods and fields, trees and flowers, creeks and peaks, cold and heat, sun and rain and snow, minimal food and hard sleeping, quiet company or walking alone, and I called it fun and a hobby. The scene is probably late winter with patches of snow and dead grass tops. Wind sculpted Red Spruce and Balsam Fir outline the ridge with naked deciduous brush all down the flanks. The wilderness in general has a melancholy feel, all the more in the winter. The temperature and wind chill are only ameliorated by the bright sunshine. It feels like a good day for a hike!
