Sweat Equity in a Proposal
Worth the Climb: Charlie’s Bunion
A lot of would-be proposers want to propose in a location that has a great view. The good news is that the Smokies can certainly provide that . . . but sometimes the not-so-good news is that if it has a great view and it is easy to get to, thne you can expect other people to be there. In some instances, especially around sunset, an easy drive can mean crowds.
But what if you are willing to put in some sweat equity, literally?
Recently, we were contacted by Ben who having seen pictures very much wanted to propose to Ariel in what has to be one of the Smokies’ most picturesque settings: Charlie’s Bunion.
If you are wondering - yes, it IS named after a person’s foot affliction. The legend is that when Horace Kephart, considered the “father” of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, was surveying the area, he and his companions stopped at this rocky outcropping for lunch. One of the men - Charlie Conner - took off his shoes to air his feet and looking at the large bunion on Conner’s foot, Kephart told him, “I'm going to get this put on a Government map for you." And so Charlie’s Bunion was born.
Get Your Hiking Boots On
Charlie’s Bunion is a popular hike but a place that sees only a handful of people on any given day. To be blunt, it takes some effort to get there.
Charlie’s Bunion is reached by heading up the famed Appalachian Trail at Newfound Gap for about four miles. Four miles may not seem like a lot of distance but this is not a four mile walk - it is a four mile hike. Over the course of those four miles you experience a net gain of 1600 feet, meaning sometimes the trail to Charlie’s Bunion winds up and sometimes it winds down but adding the ways up and subtracting the ways down means you will have gone up 1600 feet in elevation.
The trail is not a groomed path, either. While there are some trails in the Smokies where the paths ascend gradually (usually old rail beds from the logging days) this hike is one strewn with rocks and roots, and sometimes even a little boulder scramble is needed.
So why put in all of that effort?
For a setting like this:
Charlie’s Bunion is what we call a “payoff hike” - it takes some effort but it provides a great view as a payoff.
The Sweat Equity Paid Off for Ben and Ariel’s Proposal
So, what can be expected from a proposal at Charlie’s Bunion? Enjoy some scenes from Ben and Ariel’s journey to there!
Pity the Photographer
Remember, the photographer also has to go that same distance - while humping gear up the mountain. And the gear has to be “doubled,” that is to say, one camera cannot be enough because if something happens to it, there is no “running back to the car” for another.
Given the distance, time, and effort required, a surcharge is added to the cost of the proposal. But one thing that is always free - our willingness to make it happen and the excitement of seeing yet another couple start the next chapter in their lives!