July 22 Tennent Mountain hike

Today's ATC hike was led by Carolina Mountain Clubber, Les Love and "Adirondack" Ron Berger. Les was serious and earnest, Ron was irreverent. We had the perfect match. Les knew the route well and guided us superbly  through the area. Our route began on a forest service road off the BRP. We were in the vicinity of Shining Rock and many other attractions so there were lots of folks out hiking here. Almost all day we were exposed and it was a mostly sunny day, but the temperature was cool enough for us not to get overheated - most of us anyway.

Turks cap lily is prolific here and it appears to be peaking right now. From the top of the mountain where we ate lunch, you could spot yellow patches on the hillsides around. It turned out to be Dodder vine, a parasitic plant with an orange/yellow vine and small white flowers.

The hike is billed as 6 miles but it certainly seemed like a longer hike to me and everyone else. We eventually got on the MST and headed back to the cars. At about the one mile point to go, we stopped to let the stragglers catch up. We all congregated within a few minutes except Adirondack Ron and another Ron. The other Ron was quite gregarious at lunch pointing out the mountains and regaling us with past hiking tales. Finally after 25 minutes the Rons show up and the gregarious one is almost completely spent. I had frozen a bottle of Powerade for the hike. It had just thawed and I had taken a couple  sips of the cold drink at this time. It was obvious Ron needed some food and electrolytes. I gave my bottle and 10 seconds later the liter was empty. He continued to drink water and ate some. After some consultation with Les, the main group heads to the cars and 3 of us stay with our fallen comrade for a slow walk out. Our sweep, Adirondack had done this before and he placed himself behind and another fellow just in front. My job was to carry his pack out. I did this "canoe carry" style. With my pack on my back, his back went on the front. I felt pregnant but it worked. We slowly walked out and everything turned out fine. I attribute this result to Adirondack Ron and his experience in having dealt with these situations before. I seem to have gained the nickname "Two Pack" as a result.