I wouldn’t have qualified hiking from Kings to Crowder’s mountains as a CSAUP but the way I feel today I have changed my mind. It is a CSAUP, especially in the heat, and especially for the guys that carried plates in their packs. We didn’t do any official weigh in’s as this was more of a fellowship hike but it turned out that we got a good big dose of all three F’s!
A few of us started the day at the Waffle House to carb up before the launch at 0800 when the park gates open. A couple PAX even walked outside to encourage the Coconut Horse runners as they went by. Captain Steubing brought his 12 year old son Jaba to the event. Captain Stuebing also bought YHC’s breakfast. #classact
After loading up we drove to the Linwood lot at Crowders Mountain. Even though the Park Ranger told me the gates open at 0800, there were probably 25 cars in there at 0750 when we drove up. Geez!
We were ready to go and dropped some cars off and took some others to the other end at the Boulders access parking lot. We registered our cars and got squared away. Bedpan saved the day as their were maneating mosquitos attacking everyone at the ranger station. The bathrooms had just been cleaned. We were ready to go except Hunchback did some Sua Sponte leadership and decided to drive to the Sparrow Springs station instead of the Boulders to check it out recon style. When he showed up we started with a disclaimer and hit the woods.
We stopped every couple miles to drink and share a verse. We were making good time and it wasn’t too hot. Guys were moving around in order and talking and learning about one another. Eh Y’all was the intentional six to keep everyone in front. We had 16 total PAX. YHC felt and urge to start running as the trail reminded me of Mortimer 100 training. Defib agreed and we may run this in the future to prepare for next years race.
We kept going and then at mile 4.75 some vicious murder hornets attacked Stroganoff and Montana. They spent the next quarter mile wondering if they got the stingers out. Fortunately, Montana broke out the bee sting treatment wipes and made the ouchies all better.
At the first overlook, we stopped and took a short break. Later, we stopped again and Defib shared a story about Joshua. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Church on the mountain. Maybe I didn’t skip church today? Thank you Defib!
We took a group photo at the King’s Pinnacle and then moseyed on back down the trail. Some dude recognized Tesla and they said hello. Some PAX took a right turn to hit the restrooms and refill the water at the Sparrow Springs station and then headed back to the trail. The heat was rising and we were drinking lots of water. We crossed another road and came to a fork in the trail. Take a right to the RockTop trail or left on the Crowders trail. The Rocktop trail is shorter but harder so we chose that way (as Tesla would say, “why wouldn’t we?) About halfway up, one the PAX said with disdain, “why did we choose this route?”
This hike started to climb and the steps were getting sketchy due to rocks and roots. Some separation occurred among the PAX but faithful Eh Y’all kept the six in check. We had some cramping and pain among some PAX but you are kind of screwed once you aren’t that close to your car. To his credit, Watts Up turned down many requests to carry his pack to lighten the load. There were some psychological tricks to keep him moving like a solar flare meant gravity wasn’t pulling as hard and therefore walking uphill would be easier. There may have been jokes about the feminine napkins getting wet and weighing him down, Midol, etc.. There is no quit in Watts Up. Much respect earned!
We stopped to regroup at the Boulders and Breaker Breaker generously gave Watts Up his last “salt tablet” little blue pill. It supposedly would help with cramping but also had some alleged side effects that we won’t discuss here.
We made it out of the woods to the Tower Trail. YHC delegated Stroganoff to take PAX to the tower and down the steps or they could go down the Tower Trail. We split and headed to the lot and waited for the PAX to reassemble for COT. The tower trail was actually a little quicker than the folks that took the steps. Tiger took off early for some obligations but 15 were there for the COT. It was a great day. No one got hurt. We had lots of fellowship, lots of faith, and lots of rock pushing (no pun intended). We haven’t done this since 2017 and YHC is committed to do it again every year.
Shout out to Austin Powers for joining us from the Lake Wylie region. Jaba didn’t complain and as a 12 year old, this ain’t no joke! Respect and hate at the same time! Montana is a welcome addition to the PAX and folks enjoyed knowing him better. YHC enjoyed catching up with Montross and Bedpan.
Stroganoff took me back to my car and took his keys out of my car’s passenger side door. Somehow the key fairy got him a key during the hike and he was able to drive me back to get mine.
The encouragement among this group is outstanding and was on display throughout the event. Some guys shared how F3 has impacted them and included anecdotes about the quality of the men they surround themselves with now and how they let some of their old friends go a little.
Thanks for the PAX that showed and for Defib for pushing me to schedule the event. It was awesome. Heck, YHC may try to do it again in the fall.
Roscoe