Day 22 - 3/23

Daily mileage: 18.1
Total trail mileage: 238.4
Starting location: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Ending location: Green Corner Road (Standing Bear Hostel)
Weather: Cloudy and windy in the morning, clear and sunny in the
afternoon, 25 degrees in the morning, much warmer once I dropped in
elevation.

I am at
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.763471,+-83.161077

Today was a bit of a contrast from the morning to the afternoon. In
the morning I was freezing (after getting out of the sleeping bag), it
took me a half hour to thaw out my boots with a hot water bottle to
the point that I could get my feet in them, it was cloudy, and
everything was snow covered. In the afternoon I was hiking in a t-
shirt, it was clear and sunny, and there wasn't any snow in sight.
Sure, I did drop about a vertical mile in elevation, but it was like
starting the day in the middle of winter and ending the day in summer.

My Dad day hiked up to Cosby Knob Shelter where he met me and hiked
over to the Mt Cammerer trail. Ridgerunner Scott recommended that we
go the 0.6 miles off trail to the observation tower. The trail was
muddy, but it was definitely worth it. I had a clear view of
everything around. Unfortunately, I snapped one of my treking poles
when I slipped in the mud on the way back.

After that, my dad went back to his car (along a side trail), and I
continued the long descent. It was amazing to actually see the trail
(instead of just snow), and it was pretty easy going. There was a
really nice stream along the trail shortly after the Smokys.

Yes, I finished the Smokys. The Smokys had been causing a lot of
dread among hikers ever since Springer, but they were passable. A
little slow going in sections, but definitely doable. And now I am
allowed to go back to using my hammock as I am not forced to stay in
the shelters.

I started to drop some of my winter gear now that I am through the
Smokys. I gave my dad my Dinali fleece, fleece pants, and fleece
socks. Now my pack is a bit lighter and is much smaller.

I stopped at the Standing Bear Hostel just off the trail for the
night. Quite a number of thruhikers are here including Marc, Flying
Turtle, Moonpie, Doozy, Reverend, Shaky, etc. This place has
everything hikers need and you just keep a tally of what you owe.

My dad has now left and is beginning the trip back home.