April 6, 2016 - Day 19

After an early breakfast, the group headed down trail with the Fontana Dam as their destination and their entry to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

The trail was a steady downhill drop with only a few 'ups'.  They arrived at the road crossing around noon and waited for the shuttle to take them to Fontana Village so they could pay their $20 hiking fee and print their hiking passes...required to hike in the national park.  They thought this would be a fairly quick process, however, this was not to be. 

The process of obtaining the pass was to enter info online after which the pass is sent to your email address.  Jill and Ken had no problems.  Unfortunately (or was it good fortune?), Dennis had forgotten his email password and had to wait 3 hours for his wife to get home to assist him. So onto Plan B...get the passes and a room in the village.

While they waited, they resupplied and ate a big lunch at the grill.

They checked into getting a room at the Fontana Lodge, but all the rooms were full. So Plan C was to catch a ride back to the trail, which they were able to do at approximately 6pm.  While waiting for the shuttle to take them back to the trail, they saw "Limey" (aka Michael Salter), a fellow hiker originally from Great Britain.  Limey asked what they were doing heading back to the trail so late and they explained there were no rooms so they were going to camp on the trail.  He told them HE had a room at the Fontana Lodge and they were all welcome to join him.  Plan B was back on!  They did so and were VERY thankful for his generosity when a bad thunderstorm moved through that night. 


Fontana Lodge

Keep in mind that their original plan was to quick get their hiking passes, grab lunch and get back to the trail.  So now I ask you...was Southpaw's email password issue a problem or a blessing?

Mile 164.7
Elevation 1,700

April 5, 2016 - Day 18

Jill and Denise have been labeled the "Breakfast Club" by the younger hikers.  Ken most times just has coffee and then hits the trail with a protein bar. 

Our hikers hit Jacob's Ladder after 4 miles...a tough 700 foot climb in .6 miles with 10' switchbacks!

Ken said you could hit yourself in the butt coming around the trail; it was so steep and curvy. 

They arrived at the Cable Gap Shelter, which was a tiny cabin that should hold 6-8 but really only fits 4.  The shelter was full, so they camped a little further away along a stream.

Mile 159.2
Elevation 2,880

April 4, 2016 - Day 17

Bob, a man from the Frist Baptist Church choir, took the group back to the trail at the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center).  He gave them a card and inside was $100!  Everyone in Bryson City was super nice and wished them well on their journey.  Here are IWOX and Southpaw at the NOC.

There was a loonnnngggg uphill climb of 7 miles.  They were passed by many hikers.  When they got to the Sassafras Gap shelter, there was a white flag flying...a warning sign of a Norovirus outbreak.  They gave the shelter a wide berth and continued to Cheoah Bald.

Jill's Picture of Cheoah Bald

They could see Fontana Lake below them and the mountains all around.  Ken shot a nice video of the view.



They continued on to and arrived at Locust Cove Gap just in time, as they were out of water.  The shelter and campsites were full, so they set up camp at a nice flat spot a little further down the trail.

Mile 146.3
Elevation 3,690

April 3, 2016 - Day 16

The three hikers walked from the A Rufus Morgan Shelter to the road crossing that led to Bryson City, NC.  There, they hitched a ride into town and got a hotel for the night at the Scenic View Motel.

I had received a late call last night from Ken who said they were looking for a church to attend the Sunday service.  I didn't find just one church in Bryson City, but rather 17 churches in the area!  Yes, definitely the Bible Belt.  Considering the population of Bryson City is only 1,424, I think it safe to say that most of the folks living in the area attend church.

They took welcome showers and got cleaned up and hitched to church.

They picked the First Baptist Church and met many nice people.  One of the folks took them back to the motel after church service and another volunteered to take them back to the trail in the morning.

They had a late lunch/early dinner at Pizza Hut and found a place to replenish their supplies for 4 days.

While in Franklin, NC, an outdoor group makes 'hiker licenses' for the hikers.  While these are not formal licenses, all the hikers like the 'unofficial' badges of honor and gives them something to show that they once were at Mile 110 on the AT.

Also in Bryson City is the headquarters for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  They stopped in and looked around and found information about the AT in the park. The AT is the largest
trail in the Smoky's and many come to just hike that section of the trail.

They knew they had some big days ahead of them and were looking forward to crossing the Fontana Dam into the park tomorrow, one of the best scenes in the movie "A Walk in the Woods".

The three called it an early night and got rested up for the next section of the trail.

Good night, sweet hikers.

Mile 137.1
Elevation 1,723

April 2, 2016 - Day 15

The day began dry...too dry as they had run out of water the night before and had no water for coffee or breakfast.  They were planning on hitting the next trail town and weren't looking forward to the long dry hike.

A few miles down trail was the Burningtown Gap (mile 124.4) and at the Gap was the Burningtown Baptist Church with biscuits and gravy, hot coffee, OJ, homemade cookies and brownies.  They fueled up (physically and spiritually), replenished their water and off they went.  They all talked about how just when they need it, there are trail angels there to help them.  The folks from the church reminded them "Well you know, you ARE in the Bible Belt!"

The food made a world of difference and they were feeling good when they reached the top of the next mountain.  And even better when they reached the Wesser Bald Observation Tower at mile 130.6.  The observation tower used to be a fire tower and now is mostly enjoyed by AT hikers.  They can see the Great Smoky Mountains and Fontana Lake to the north.

Ken stood up there like he was king of the world!  Based on how his hair is sticking straight up, it looks like the tower also gets a bit of a breeze.



Ken at Wesser Bald Observation Tower
 

While at the tower, they met a Sargent and Lieutenant of the Macon County Sherriff department who were doing a weekend hike.  What was remarkable was that one of them had their 8 year old son with them!  This young man would go on to complete 15 miles that day!  He sure was having fun, as Ken's video shows:

 

This day also resulted in some concerns for our travelers.  Jill had her first fall.  Nothing serious, a slightly scraped knee.  But she did lay like a turtle on its back when she decided to take a rest, since she was already on the ground.  Some day hikers helped her up and she caught up with the guys, who were hiking ahead of her.  Dennis' knees were also bothering him.  Ken is starting to get his legs under him and is walking ahead of the other two for an hour and then will wait for them to catch up.  People that have tried to keep up with him around home all say he can walk the legs off a deer.  One young (20 something) hiker is now calling him "John Deer".  He may have found his trail name, though he denies it.  He always says it hurts his motor to go so slow, but I worry he may be out-pacing his companions or may be setting himself up for injury.

They hiked down the mountain 6 miles and made it to the A. Rufus Morgan Shelter at Mile 136.3.  The shelter is named after the Nantahala AT Club's founder.  They set up camp and were very tired after their 15-mile day.

Mile 136.3
Elevation 2,300


April 1, 2016 - Day 14

The day started off in Franklin, NC with a huge breakfast provided by the First Baptist Church.  This amazing group of people start serving breakfast every morning for AT hikers beginning on the first day of Spring in March and continue until mid-April.  This is the time when most Thru-Hikers begin and they provide a welcome meal to help them on their journey.


They have been doing this for many years and have each year's signature poster on display.  Ken, Jill (IWOX) and Dennis (Southpaw) all signed for the 2016 season.  The room was packed with hikers and everyone was in great spirits.

Ken and IWOX at Franklin Breakfast

IWOX and SPICY, with Patsy Parker, getting some Trail Magic
(breakfast) from the great volunteers at First Baptist Church
 

With their tummies full, Russell took them back to the trail and sent them on their way.  





 

 

They hiked about 9 miles to Wayah Bald (elevation 5,342) where there was a stone observation tower.  Ken took a video to share with us:

 

They hiked another 3 miles and made it to Licklog Gap. It rained during the day and his text that night said he was cold, wet and hungry.  I didn't want to tell him neighbors/friends were here from Chicago and we were having chicken breast, mashed red skin potatoes, corn/peas, broccoli salad and warm apple and cherry pies!  That would have been too much torture for someone who had a supper of a protein bar and whatever else he could find.

 

Mile 122.1

Elevation 4,440

 



March 31, 2016 - Day 13

The day started out at 5am with a roar and then 50-60 mile an hour winds!  Tent stakes were pulled out, tents and contents (including people) were in jeopardy as Mother Nature tried to blow them off the mountain.  Southpaw (Dennis) was sleeping in a hammock under a tarp vs. using a tent and the high winds blew his tarp away, collapsed his hammock and created all kinds of havoc.  Dennis gathered up his belongings, packed them away and headed down the mountain in the dark.  Ken and Jill toughed it out until 7am and then, they too, packed up and headed down trail.

The original plan was for all of them to hike to the next road crossing in the morning at mile 110 where Jill's friend from high school, Russell, would pick them up and take them all to his home for the day and night.  Dennis was waiting for them at the road and all three were together again.

They were back on plan and Russell picked them up and took them to his home in the town of Franklin, NC.



Ken said he looked in the mirror and scared himself, then took the best shower in his life.  He said he was still scared after, but at least he looked more human.

 

Jill started laundry for all of them and they looked forward to being clean in clean clothes.

 

There was an outfitter store in town and Ken got a new alcohol stove, gators (or spats...as my dad calls them), another pair of socks and trail food.

 

It was a rainy kind of day and all the hotels and motels were full of hikers.  In addition to the 2,000+ Thru-Hikers that had registered (of which 60% have already quit), there are thousands more of section hikers.  These are hikers who can only take a week or so off work each year and hike sections of the AT with the hope of someday completing the entire AT.  Others are hiking with no goal in mind other than to enjoy nature, exercise and to enjoy friends or family time together.

 

I think Ken, IWOX and Southpaw had the best beds in town!  They sure had the best accommodations, if their evening meal was an example.  

 

 

Another night at Russell's and back on the trail tomorrow.

 

Mile 109.8

Elevation 2,036