Day 13 - Mar 5
We ended up being the only ones in the shelter last night. It took me a little while to fall asleep, but from 11 until 630 I slept pretty good, only waking a few times, Walker even said I snored some. Since we were in the shelter, the morning pack up was quick and we were on the trail by 7.
Our goal for the day was to walk 11 miles into fontana dam, resupply, and then walk 8 more miles into the smokies and camp.
The morning went smoothly, we got pockets of rain but it barely amounted to anything. A tenth of an inch was a nice reprieve from the typical inch or so that we are used to getting out here. We made it into Fontana at 1250 and were lucky enough to get a shuttle to take us to our resupply by 1.
We were debating whether or not we wanted to get a 3 day resupply and then go into Gatlinburg, or if we should just get 5 and a half days of food, cram it into our packs, and push through the smokies. We decided that the later was the easier option. Let me tell you, the difference in weight between a pack that has half a days food left and one that has 5 and a half day is ridiculous. I would not be shocked if our pack weight doubled.
Leaving Fontana we walked across the famous fontana dam and entered the great smoky mountains national park.
I have a strange feeling being here in the smokies. For the entire trip up to this point, the smokies are what we are basically preparing our bodies for. Getting out of georgia is hard enough, but finishing the smokies is something that apparently alot of AT hikers are unable to manage. I am definetly anxious to complete this part of our journey, but I am also hopeful that we are able to get good weather and simply enjoy one of the most beautiful places on the east coast. On top of this feeling, since the smokies are such a large part of the early stages of the hike, I hope that once I complete them I dont feel a loss of meaning or something like that. I doubt I will, as I have compartmentalized the trip already do that each part of the trail has it's own destination and challenges. Either way, it's just something for me to be aware of and consider.
We ended the day by hiking up shuckstack mountain and camping at birch spring campsite. I believe we ended up doing a 19 mile day today, or something around there. Tomorrow we plan to hit Derrick knob shelter. Depending on what time we get there we may go farther, but we will see, no need to push it.
Also, we have now hiked more mileage in North Carolina than we have in Georgia.... that is crazy to me.
The bard owls are back again tonight. You would think that since they are hunting they wouldn't who who all night. Then again, I'm no owl expert so what do I know.
Tomorrow will be our official first day in the smokies.
Goodnight,
Tyler M.
You are fortunate to be enjoying relatively good weather and that continuing, will certainly make your hike thru the Smokies enjoyable. From watching YouTube accounts of AT thru hikers approaching and hiking thru the Smokes, it appears that they wear themselves down psychologically and emotionally with anticipation and fear of what they might encounter (not to diminish what can be encountered with weather and terrain).
ReplyDeleteYour incremental goal approach to the hike is an excellent concept for progress and will bring the hike to you in manageable challenges and certainly provide encouragement as you progress.
The route of the AT amazes me in respect to how much of it seems to “double back” over great distances, adding many miles to the overall hike. I reckon that also adds beauty as well.
At this rate, it won’t be long and we’ll see you in Front Royal!(?)
Continuing, to following along,
Grandpa
Barred owls are night lovers, they'll continue to hoot just to hear themselves--and like you they love their surroundings. I doubt you'll be let down by the tail once you exit the smoky mountains. The entire trail is beautiful in each section, relax grasshopper.
ReplyDeleteWhile in the Smokies from roughly mile markers 174 to 232, you will be above 4,000' the entire time! Being able to walk among the mountaintops and view limitless peaks with the sun upon your shoulders by day and the solitude of the stars by night (aside from your owl friends) must be absolutely incredible. Am looking forward to your next posts, not sure how you can adequately capture in words the feeling within your soul. Although chilly, hopefully the days will continue to be clear for you. Robert Frost's ending of his famous poem may be rather applicable... "And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."
ReplyDelete