Journey Day 201 | AT Day 24

Tucker Windover taking a break after a big climb.

4/14/86

Early start, but low energy, rough, cold downhill to Flint Gap. Catch up to Tucker Windover whom I met at the Inn in Hot Springs. Mellow philosophy major from Williamstown, Mass., attending Kenyon College in Ohio. We hike to Hogback Shelter, talk, push on. Realize a late push is needed to make Big Bald, so push up a big climb. Meet Fletcher Raiford, an obstetrician from Hendersonville, N.C. He gives us ramps (wild onions), a picking lesson. On up to Big Bald, windy and cold. Meet a quiet megahiker at the summit. Push on to shelter, crash after learning of the bombing of Libya.