Spring 2017 AT hike, day #7

Friday, May 19, 2017
Start: Fontana Dam shelter
End: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles: 21.9

Today I woke up around 6:10am and headed out by 6:55am.

I climbed from the shelter (1853') up to ~3800' and then descended down to Cable Gap Shelter (2878'). I climbed up to Brushnell knob (3928'), past Brown Fork Gap Shelter (3813'), up to ~4000, and then down to Stecoah Gap (3165') (my original destination). I then climbed up to Cheoah Bald (5062'), and then down to Sassafras Gap Shelter (4391').

My IT band started giving me a lot of trouble today. I spent most of the day keeping my right leg as straight as possible, with lots of immediate feedback about my technique. It was also hot and humid, making it very hard to keep up with water needs of the body.

I arrived at Sassafras Gap Shelter around 6:45pm. I was going to stay in the shelter but there are four men there already and the bugs are awful. I set up my tent and didn't open the door until bugs had settled down a bit. I ate dinner and got myself settled by around 8:45pm. Tomorrow will be a lighter day in terms of miles, which I appreciate.

Spring 2017 AT hike, day #6

Thursday, May 18, 2017
Start: Derrick Knob shelter
End: Fontana Dam shelter
Miles: 23.9

I woke up at 6:10am and left the shelter this morning at 7am.

From the shelter (4882'), I climbed over Thunderhead Mountain (5527'), past Rocky Top (5440') and Spence Field shelter (4916'), and then down to Russell Field Shelter (4348'). I descended to Big Abrams Gap (4115'), climbed to Mollies Ridge shelter (4586'), descended to Ekaneetlee Gap (3842'), climbed Doe Knob (4520'), and then started the long descent out of the Smokeys.

I arrived at Fontana Dam shelter (1853') at 5:30pm. I walked past the visitors center (1700') around 5pm and they weren't open, though the guide said they should be, and the soda machine was out of order. The Fontana Hilton is quite nice. There's a formal bathroom and shower with running water. The shelter is nice though I decided to tent. I was also totally bummed to find all four hostels at where I wanted to stop tomorrow evening are full up and don't have space. Unfortunately, that will mean rearranging my miles for the next few days. And the weather forecast isn't so great - rain every day for the next 6-7 days. *Sigh* We shall see how much suffering is involved.