Total trail mileage: 163.7
Starting location: Fontana Dam, NC
Ending location: Fontana Dam "Hilton" Shelter
Weather: clear and warm (65 or so)
I am at
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.448512,+-83.795028
Whew, today was a long day. I did a whole 1.1 miles. We woke up this
morning, packed up, had breakfast at the restaurant, and got shuttled
back to the trail. After the quick mile, we headed down to the
visitors center, and I filled out the permit to go through the Smokys.
The Dam is pretty impressive and it was actually clear today! I could
see North Carolina for the first time on this trip. And it was nice
and warm, so we just chilled out all day.
The shelter is one of the nicest shelters on the trail and has been
nicknamed the "Fontana Hilton". It has flush toilets and a shower and
a picnic table and trash cans. It is pretty nice. Two girls came by
and asked "do people actually sleep here?". Yep, and this is one of
the nicest places to sleep.
I am staying here with my dad, Olaf, Mellow Yellow (Dan), and Camp
Chair. Tomorrow we all enter the park. I have been hearing a few
tales of how impossible the Smokys are right now. Hmm, I don't know.
Someone has a 10-1 bet that I don't make it through following the AT
the whole way. That's enough motivation for me to get through
whatever is in the way.
Good luck through the Smokies.. based on some pictures I've seen from a couple guys who made it through, the snow is still pretty deep (lots of knee-high postholing) and the trail is WET. Marc (from RPI) should be reaching Fontana Dam this afternoon - maybe you'll see him in the coming days. Have fun!
ReplyDelete-Kayleigh