The Flying Gimp Hiking Club

Well of course there is such a thing as a Flying Gimp! Happy hour brought on the Flying Gimps. Many late nights at the local watering hole, sitting, drinking... and talking about how great it would be if we got a little fun in for the week, then making plans on the spur of the moment, viola, No Time but the Present, Finis!

The likes of Downtown Brown, Little Hip, TV, Raymundo, Bent Pen, Big Al, Dave O, and Daffy Dave, among others, all made the Gimps what they are today. We might leave in the middle of the night, grab our packs and be on the trail within an hour or so, often getting to watch the sunrise on top of many favorite peaks in the Great Smoky Mountains

We began to look like animals after an evening at the watering hole, and it was usually on a Tuesday because of Tuefors, then five miles on the trail, to arrive by sunlight, we often took on the smell of animals too. This web page is dedicated to those courageous enough to hike with the Flying Gimps and to those Gimps who remain. Through the night, with large fires by Hip, our illustrious president who loves to keep a large fire all night long ,we managed to sleep very little, but with the houndog headset, and Hip's Heat, we managed to stay warm and smile all night, smokin' don't you think?

When the temperature is very cold in the night time, it helps to cut off the wind blowing into your sleeping bag by pulling your t-shirt over your head, leaving only your face exposed. Upon awakening and shaking your head in the morning for the first time, the sleeves of your short sleeve t-shirt look like hound dog ears - thus the houndog headset!

A great Excursion is the trip from Newfound Gap to Cosby Campground. It is a one way, twenty six mile journey with three shelters. The image to the left you see The Flying Gimps at Tri-corner Knob.

Getting much gimpier ,as most Gimps are at least 40 now. Pictured are Downtown Brown, Dave O, Raymundo, Little Hip, Jenny, and Big Al.

Most of the Flying Gimps are now pushing fifty or over in age, but still have the fever to get into the park. To the right you see Big Al walking through the White Fringed Phacelia , Phacelia Fimbriata which is prolific in May on the Appalachian Trail. The window of opportunity to see the wildflowers in full bloom at the higher elevations seems to fall between May 5th and May 20th. The Trout Lilies, Spring Beauties, Trillium, Bluets, and Bloodroot are among the many wildflowers in bloom in the May Window.

Trail food is one of the more important considerations when planning an Excursion into the park. These chocolate covered peanut goodies are a necessity, but need no M's.

The image above is a view of Mt. LeConte from Mt. Guyot.


		Ray's Lionel® Model Train 1945-2010

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New Gimps	Bent Pen


Raymundo	Downtown Brown