The Cold Mountain Colloquium

Department of History

(May, 1999)

Two teams assaulted Cold Mountain during Furman University's unofficial Beach Weekend in the spring of 1999. The "A-Team" pushed ahead with tents and tarps to establish a base camp in the heart of the Shining Rock Wilderness. "Team B" followed with the bulk of the consumable supplies and arrived at the camp after harrowing adventures punctuated by a dramatic thunder and lightning display. O'Neill heroically cooked supper in the midst of a torrential downpour.Not everyone slept dry that first night.

The day for the assault on the Cold Mountain summit began with sparkling sunshine as the air had been cleared by the previous evening's storm. Enroute discussions touched on Inman's struggles, the Civil War in Appalachia, antebellum Charleston culture, cures for poison ivy, useful strategies during bear encounters, what really constitutes appropriate trail food, the limits of minimalist camping, whether our female colleagues would join us next year, and whether Leavell could actually make it to the top with all his toys.

The view from the summit was spectacular. Resentment was expressed in some quarters that the Good Lord had provided Ching with such long legs.Various suggestions for shortening them were discarded when it was determined that no one had brought the appropriate tools (Bowie knife, cross-cut saw, etc.).The group basked on the heights just long enough for Barrington to need basting. During the following week his rosy hue and peeling (pealing) flesh would give public testimony to the good time that was had by all. No need to go to the beach to get cooked.

Barrington's post-summit supper was yet another camp stove triumph rivaled only by O'Neill's achievements the previous night.Competitive star gazing was preceded by several hotly contested horse shoe matches. (The colloquium member who actually packed in the horse shoes will go nameless. Clearly, this individual did not carry his share of the GORP!)

The trek out was less eventful than the struggle into the Shining Rock Wilderness. The recent heavy rains caused much of the trail to resemble a mountain stream, but there were no blisters reported at the trail head parking lot. Inman's journey back to the foot of Cold Mountain was recognized by all as an achievement of significant proportions.