The Sikes
Member
Couldn't pass up the weather on Sunday. Decided to do something with nice views. I opted for Flume and Liberty knowing the slide would be challenging. I had done it 12 years ago and thought I remembered it. Last time I had 4 kids and a dog in toe. I guess I forgot how nasty parts of the slide are.
Started from the Flume visitor center. The day was perfect. The trail started off a little muddy but not bad. The river crossings were fine for me and not too bad for Matthew. I just made sure he didn't loose his balance and fall in.
The slide was drier than I expected but the higher up we got the wetter it was with some nice slime to add to the mix. Some parts of the slide I was scratching my head trying to figure out how to go higher without killing myself or my son. He was calmer than me but I have a slight fear of heights...OK not so slight.
We managed to make it through the slide and enjoyed our time on both peaks before heading down. The Liberty Spring trail was mostly dry. I don't remember so many rocks. By the time we were 1/2 mile to the junction, Matthew said his feet hurt. I second that. This was his 3rd high peak for the year and a lot of miles in addition to a tough slide. He did fantastic.
The only sore part of the day is some one boy out of a group of young boys (20's) stopped to relieve himself in one of the river crossings. If I were a little closer, I would have gave him a piece of my mind. I hope he drinks untreated water. UGH.
Saw a couple of VFTTers out there. They were brave sole going down the slide. Not for me.
Started from the Flume visitor center. The day was perfect. The trail started off a little muddy but not bad. The river crossings were fine for me and not too bad for Matthew. I just made sure he didn't loose his balance and fall in.
The slide was drier than I expected but the higher up we got the wetter it was with some nice slime to add to the mix. Some parts of the slide I was scratching my head trying to figure out how to go higher without killing myself or my son. He was calmer than me but I have a slight fear of heights...OK not so slight.
We managed to make it through the slide and enjoyed our time on both peaks before heading down. The Liberty Spring trail was mostly dry. I don't remember so many rocks. By the time we were 1/2 mile to the junction, Matthew said his feet hurt. I second that. This was his 3rd high peak for the year and a lot of miles in addition to a tough slide. He did fantastic.
The only sore part of the day is some one boy out of a group of young boys (20's) stopped to relieve himself in one of the river crossings. If I were a little closer, I would have gave him a piece of my mind. I hope he drinks untreated water. UGH.
Saw a couple of VFTTers out there. They were brave sole going down the slide. Not for me.
