Expeditions With Patrick McMillan Season 2 Episode 7 Grandfather Mountain, Island in the Sky

Expeditions with Patrick McMillan, season 2 episode 7, takes viewers on a journey to Grandfather Mountain – an “island in the sky” rising 5,964 feet above sea level in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The hour-long adventure follows McMillan and his crew as they explore the unique ecosystem atop this ancient mountain, where the climate is similar to that of Maine despite being located in the Southeast.

The show begins with stunning aerial views of Grandfather Mountain, which is shrouded in fog and covered in an array of flora, including moss, lichen, and spruce fir trees. McMillan sets the scene, explaining that the mountain is part of a chain of mountains that formed over 400 million years ago during the Paleozoic Era and has since eroded into its current shape. Despite being a relatively small ecosystem, it is one of the oldest and most diverse on the planet.

From there, the team descends into the valleys below the peak, investigating the unique flora and fauna that call Grandfather Mountain home. McMillan and his guests marvel at the variety of plant life nestled in the rocky terrain, including alpine species that are normally only found in the Rocky Mountains of the West. They also explore the mountain streams and rivers, which are overrun by a wide range of fish and aquatic species, including the elusive hellbender, one of North America’s largest salamanders.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Grandfather Mountain is the presence of several distinct climate zones, each with its own set of unique inhabitants. McMillan leads his team on a rocky climb up one of the mountain’s many ridges, where they experience a sharp transition in temperature and vegetation as they ascend. After climbing to the top of the ridge, which boasts stunning views of the surrounding landscape, they descend into a different zone, where they encounter a range of diverse plant life, including high-elevation rhododendrons and mountain laurel.

Later in the episode, viewers get an inside look at Grandfather Mountain’s wildlife rehabilitation program, which rescues and cares for hundreds of injured and orphaned animals each year, releasing them back into the wild when they are healthy enough to survive. The team spends time with the resident animal caretakers and some of the mountain’s temporary residents, including a young bobcat and several native bird species.

The episode concludes with a look at the history of Grandfather Mountain, which played a key role in shaping the culture and people of the region. McMillan recounts the legend of the Cherokee Indians, who believed that the mountain was the home of a powerful spirit and a place of great spiritual significance. He also details the evolution of the tourist industry on the mountain, which began in the early 1900s with the construction of a road to the peak and continues to this day with an array of activities and attractions for visitors.

Overall, Expeditions with Patrick McMillan, season 2 episode 7, takes viewers on a captivating journey through one of North Carolina’s most unique and diverse ecosystems. The breathtaking landscapes, diverse plant and animal life, and rich cultural history of Grandfather Mountain make this episode an absolute must-see for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.