Sat, Dec 12 2009 - Yellow Mountain, NC (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Kathy Malone, Stefan Participants: Marshall, David, Bindu, Kristi, Rafiq, Stefan, Kathy Malone, Gary Babiarz, Ray R, Elizabeth, Tanja B

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Write Up:
The “last hike standing” for Dec. 12, 2009. Due to incremental weather, all other AOC trips were cancelled, yet we dared the elements and had a terrific (and dry) day on the trail.
After the drive to the trail head at Cole Gap with the obligatory BK breakfast stop in Clayton GA, the group quickly started the gentle climb up Cole Mtn to stay warm in the bone-chilling cold. If nothing else, the switch-backs to neighboring Shortoff Mtn certainly  got everybody’s metabolism going. Nevertheless, the view from the summit ridge made the exercise more than worthwhile. After gathering near the Gap to Goat Knob, the group descended to the lowest elevation on the hike at Yellow Mtn Gap and then took on the second climb to the top of Yellow Mtn. Although most of us could have lived without bushwhacking the last few hundred yards to the summit, the extra effort was rewarded with a spectacular view from the wide-open mountain top, even on a cloudy day like today. The fire tower provided some welcomed protection from the wind and once we got the stove going, hot tea, chocolate and soup kept everybody warm. Retracing our steps to the trailhead, we managed to reach the cars before the rain clouds took over. What a fun day with a fantastic group of hikers that was properly celebrated with lots of tasty pizza on the drive back to ATL.

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