Picture of Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Caption: 2018 Thru-Hike Week 19
Picture
Picture of Cheoah Bald
Caption: Cheoah Bald, a lovely spot for dinner.
Picture of Nantahala National Forest
Caption: The Nantahala Outdoor Center has hosted numerous whitewater kayaking competitions over the years. The trail crosses a bridge over the rapids.
Picture of Nantahala National Forest
Caption: Ooh. Ahh. Above the fog.
Picture of Nantahala National Forest
Video of Nantahala National Forest
Caption: What up, crawfish. Crawdad? Crayfish? Tiny lobster?
Picture of Fontana Dam Shelter
Picture of Fontana Dam Shelter
Caption: Sierra is at
Fontana Dam
Shelter
and is OK Thursday
— 8:30
Picture of Fontana Dam Shelter
Caption: To be fair, they were great showers.
Picture of TVA Fontana Dam
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Caption: The Smoky Mountains require special permits to stay in shelters. Very official.
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Caption: Our first day in the Smokies was lovely.
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Caption: Our second day was … less lovely.
Cold + Rain = #EpiXtrip
Video of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Video of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Clingmans Dome
Caption: The observation tower at the top of Clingmans Dome. This is the highest point on the Appalachian Trail.
Picture of Clingmans Dome
Caption: Clingmans Dome is also home to lots of wild animals.
Picture of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Caption: Some very kind folks at Clingmans Dome gave us a ride into Gatlinburg. It was a sudden culture shock to go from backcountry forest to tourist parkway!
Picture of Gatlinburg
Caption: Oh Gatlinburg. You’re too much.
Picture of Gatlinburg
Caption: Chocolate Delight … questionable.
Picture of Gatlinburg
Caption: Caramel apple … wonderful!
Video of Gatlinburg
Caption: Making puppy chow in a hotel room. Priorities.
Picture of Gatlinburg
Caption: Deuter sent not one, but two replacements for Nathan’s pack! They used two different shipping services to make sure at least one would reach Gatlinburg in time for us to exchange.
Picture of Gatlinburg
Caption: Old pack: ACT Lite 50+10
New pack: Air Contact Lite 50+10
We boxed together the old pack and unused new pack to return to Deuter.
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Caption: Judy visited the Great Smoky Mountains a few months ago.
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Caption: We found the sign 😀
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Caption: Cold + Rain + Elevation = Snow
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Charlies Bunion
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Caption: As it gets windier in the Smokies, either an ATC Ridge Runner or an NPS Park Ranger will hang tarps at shelters to keep campers out of the wind.
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Caption: In some parts of the Smokies, there are horseback campers on the trail!
Video of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Caption: What up, horse.
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Picture of Mount Cammerer
Caption: Sunset from Mount Cammerer.
Picture of Mount Cammerer
Picture of Mount Cammerer
Picture of Mount Cammerer
Caption: Good night, Smokies.
