Southbound/ descending mount Albert

[Hoofit]

Hi there,
I have hiked practically the whole trail including all of New Hampshire.
My son now wants to do a two or three night loop hike and as we live in North Florida, I chose the ‘Nantahala Basin Loop’ hike, clockwise in early June, leaving from Standing Indian campground.
He would also like to bring his nine year old son, a wiry, fit young lad who loves Ju Jitsu!
Getting to the point, I hiked Mount Albert over ten years ago northbound…
This time, it will be southbound.
Just trying to err on the side of caution as my son and grandchild have done very little hiking and any advice on safety would be most welcome.
My son is a firefighter/ paramedic so we have that covered and we are taking a couple of carabiners for any unduly steep descents as I don’t wish to put his son in any careless danger.
My only real concern is the descent of Mount Albert.
Thanks in advance for for any helpful input.

[Seatbelt]

You can always take the bypass trail around the tower to avoid the steep downhill SOBO. But first go up and visit the tower if it a pretty day! Then you can backtrack to the bypass and go around.

[Slugg]

Some discussion on Mt Albert in this recent thread: https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/141454-(un)Packing-Fears-Heights?highlight=Heights

[Hoofit]

Thanks..I didn’t know about that.
Hopefully we’ll get good weather and get to hike down Albert but it’s good to know about that option.

[Hoofit]

Thanks Slugg…
I’ll check that out….

[Dan Roper]

Your grandson will love that stretch, going downhill on Albert (unless it's raining or otherwise really wet, so that the rocks are too slippery). If it's a normal summer day, routine caution will be sufficient, and it will be memorable and fun.

[Slugg]

Some discussion on Mt Albert in this recent thread: https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/141454-(un)Packing-Fears-Heights?highlight=Heights

Sorry - if you clicked this link you were probably thinking “what is he talking about?”..This is the one I meant to share: https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/141321-Albert-Mountain-NC?highlight=My+Albert

[No Match]

Your grandson will love that stretch, going downhill on Albert (unless it's raining or otherwise really wet, so that the rocks are too slippery). If it's a normal summer day, routine caution will be sufficient, and it will be memorable and fun.
This is where trekking poles rock.

[Hoofit]

Thanks…I may be a little over cautious but yeah, we will pick a decent weather window.

[Hoofit]

Definitely for me as I’m 69 though Glucosamine/ Condroitin have really helped my knees. I’ve been taking it for over a year now.

[Hoofit]

Cheers Slugg…I’lll chech that one out too!