Letcher County Highpoint Trip Report
BM JWP 40 (3,699 ft)
Date: May 13, 2006
Author: Patrick Craft
I had promised my son to climb Letcher before moving. We followed Ken Oeser's
direction to the TH. As stated, we followed the logging skid which is now
heavily grown with blackberries. We were forced to strike up the ridge, along
the path of least resistance. The mountain was quite steep and full of new
spring growth of Smilax, briars and blackberries. Luckily, the growth
diminished as we ascended. We crossed a well-maintained pipeline access road
and 2 other roads but both followed contours and did not ascend. Nearing the
summit ridge, we stumbled upon a well worn ATV track, which we followed to the
summit ridge. We had an easy walk to the summit but did not find the BM.
We had good views of some BIG strip mining jobs.
Our climb down was equally nasty; steep and briars. On the drive home we
stopped at DQ in Norton and nursed our arm and legs. Our legs were chewed up
and my son (9 years old) commented that, "Letcher was misery!"
(This from a child who climbed Sandymush Bald in Madison NC and Beartown in Russell VA.)
This is a tough hike, one recommended for winter or early spring.
Round trip maybe 2 miles, time almost 3 hours.