Frostbite to Heat Stroke

Again mom, don’t worry. We haven’t had either. Just a quippy title.

On April 19th we were walking up Unaka Mountain. We were wearing every item of clothing we are carrying on our backs. I had on a t-shirt, fleece, down jacket, and a rain jacket. I had on a hat and 2 hoods. I was wearing wool gloves with a pair of gortex mittens on top. It was 28 degrees. On April 19th

On Unaka Mountain we saw a unique weather phenomenon – Hoar Frost.

Hoar frost is a type of feathery frost that forms as a result of specific climatic conditions. The word ‘hoar’ comes from old English and refers to the old age appearance of the frost: the way the ice crystals form makes it look like white hair or a beard.

It was very cool to see. Conditions need to be ideal for the frost to form sideways. Cool, but totally unnecessary. It was April 19th for goodness sake. Here’s how Charlotte felt about seeing Hoar’s frost:

I could not face another night of sub-freezing temperatures – frozen water bottles, number fingers, biting cold. So, we walked about 12 miles to a road crossing to call a shuttle…and found out that we had no cell service. Matthew started climbing up a hill to try to get a signal. The girls and I sat by the side of the road. I told them to look very pathetic. And pathetic they looked. A kind older couple pulled up and asked if they could help us to get somewhere. I told them that I just wanted to get someplace warm to sleep. They took us BACK to Erwin. We had been staying in Erwin for days and slackpacking. But it was worth it to get out of that cold. I just couldn’t face it for another night.

Fast forward to April 23rd. Four days later. We see the forecast – 74 degrees and sunny. Incredible. Just what we have been waiting for. We left Mountain Harbor Hostel and basically skipped into the woods. Sun! Warmth!

(okay. We didn’t skip. Or at least Matthew & I didn’t skip. Maybe the girls did.)

But after about 30 minutes I was wiping sweat off my forehead. 15 minutes after that the sweat was dripping off my nose and also into my eyes. Not a cloud in the sky. Not a spot of shade to be found.

My bandana, that had been used on the 19th to blow my nose from the extreme cold and wind, was wet with sweat. We passed a water source and I drenched the bandana in the cold, crisp mountain water. I folded it up and wrapped it around my neck. I shuddered with the cold. But it was glorious. It cooled me down by several degrees.

Every time we passed the smallest drop from a rock I wet down my bandana. I wet down the girl’s bandanas and we were all sporting a southwestern look with them draped around our necks. Our faces were red and sweaty. Our arms glistened with sweat. April 23rd.

Now we have been told that it is uncomfortably hot when these first warm days come in the spring because the leaves are not yet on the trees. They call the Appalachian Trail the Green Tunnel because it is so lush with vegetation. It is useless to bring a solar charger because you’re in too much shade from the trees to make the weight worth it. You can’t get a charge

Except in these early days. The heat and sun are oppressive.

We saw that tomorrow’s forecast is 84 and sunny. It kinda makes me want to cry. And hope for cooler days ahead. Just not *that* cold.

The grass is always greener…