Russell field shelter to double spring gap shelter

We knew that it was supposed to be a rainy day. Met a ridge runner the night before and he said it wasn't supposed to start until noon and then turn in to storms late afternoon. Note to self: ridge runners ain't always right. On the trail by 7:30 to get miles in before the rain.... that started about 15 minutes later. As we got up on the balds, pouring rain, wind blowing so hard I had to use my poles to keep from being blown over. Thunder was coming from below. While I'm on the subject of poles.. I have never hiked with them before. They're awesome. I can't tell you how many times they've saved me from falling.(and I won't tell you how many times I've fallen in spite of having them :) anyway, rain let up around noon although it was still drizzly so did extra miles so that tomorrow we could get into Gatlinburg early for a dry bed and a beer and big food. The shelter was full (oh darn) so had to set up our tents. My friend, Al ( trail name Lovey) turned around and too this photo as we were trudging through the slop. Had to laugh because when you are 100% soaked, head to toe, through and through and you are walking along trying to avoid the big puddles. I mean really, does it matter.? Can you get wetter than totally wet?

Fontana Dam to Russell Field Shelter

So, we were all a little worried today about the start of the Smokies and the 10 mile climb ahead of us.Pleasantly surprised

  because it was long but gradual. The Smokies have there own system. You have to stay in the Shelters. If they fill up then you can tent camp by the shelters. For those of us that prefer out tents, when we get to a shelter, we just sort of hang around and wait for it to fill up, then set up our tents. Also at the beginning, you have to buy a hiking permit. You have 7 days to hike the 70 some miles through the Smokies. Above is a pic of the first shelter we stayed by.

Below is a pic of a pile of rocks and if you look closely, you'll see the white blaze on the rock. Sometimes when you are scrambling up its hard to figure out where the trail goes.

Nature fact: water running over moss is good water because moss  is a natural filter. Just call me Yul Gibbons. :)

Trail names for the day: tuna, 19, right here, wrong way, lost and found, swashbuckler, big spoon and toast.

Cable Gap Shelter to Fontana dam

Lowest mileage hiking day today. A day for rest, resupply and laundry because tomorrow I head into the Smokies. Pic below is me modeling the latest in hiking laundry day attire. My rain skirt. Everything else REALLY NEEDED to be washed. Also a pic of my tent up on the bluff overlooking the reservoir. Smokies on the other side of the lake. Pretty awesome!

Just a little story about how everyone takes care of everyone out here. On one of the rainy cold nights a guy showed up at a shelter and all his gear was wet. Everyone chipped  in... A shirt or a pair of socks or some long undies and got him through the night. Very cool.

Locust Cove Gap to Cable Gap Shelter

Not that I would have slept in the shelter anyway... But you could see the mice running all over the place in broad daylight. Those are probably just the scouts. Imagine the troops that come out at night!

Did decent mileage today with only one real climb. Jacobs ladder. Relatively short but really steep. Apparently Jacob was not familiar with the term 'switchbacks'.

This is actually a pretty cool setting with a little stream that runs right by the shelter.

Perfect for soaking tired feet :)

NOC to Locust Cove Gap

Four mile climb into Nantahala yesterday was a toe buster!! When I take my shoes off at night and my feet are kind of puffy and swollen, I wonder how im going to fit those big blobs in to shoes the next day. Then, miraculously, in the morning, my feet are semi-normal again and actually look like they have bones in them again.

Beautiful weather today, but for every down there is an up. It was about a six mile climb up out of there today. Killer! But after the last climb, came to Cheoah Bald and it was all worth it. Big, open bald overlooking the valley and the sun was shining and it was warm! Great place for some lunch. Tonight it was actually warm enough to sit outside and chat after dinner. Some new faces tonight and some old. 

Wayah Bald Shelter to NOC

That's what the trail looked like this morning. Beautiful but chilly. Better then the muddy slop from the day before! Hiked about four miles and came across some more trail magic! Amazing that people would go out on a cold, windy morning to do this! They had a huge fire going and were cooking hot dogs and hamburgers. Delicious!! 

The day warmed up and turned out to be great. Hiked my longest day because I wanted to get to the Nantahala Outdoor Center to do laundry since everything was wet and muddy. I stayed in the hostel and it wasn't crowded so I got lucky and got my own bunk room. Had dinner and a few beers at the restaurant there. I was wiped out and probably got my best nights sleep yet. 

Took this photo from yet another firetower. Those are the Smokies looming in the distance. Should be there in a few days.

Winding Stair Gap to Wayah Bald Shelter

So, I knew it was going to be rainy, but couldn't justify another zero day. Started hiking about 9:30 in a steady rain that continued throughout the day. Even with rain gear, you get pretty darn wet. I decided this would be my first night in a shelter because I didn't want to set my tent up in the pouring rain. Fortunately I got there early enough to get a spot because a lot didn't. 

Rain turned to snow overnight, so when I got up my shoes were frozen solid and I had to stomp on them to get them loosened up so I could get my feet in them. Fun, eh?! The thing about nights like that is that you quickly discover, that when there is no other option than to just keep going, you've got a lot more in the tank than you ever thought. 

Funny how different generations handle different situations. On those cold mornings, the older generation(yes, that would be me) get up and get hiking to warm up. The younger opt to stay in their sleeping bags until about noon and the pack up and head out.

Above is a picture of the Wayah Bald firetower in the rain. Creepy looking isn't it?

Right before I left home I decided I needed a pair of down mittens because my hands get super cold. Being the end of the season, it was hard to find any, but I found this giant pair if red mittens that look like oven mitts. Let me tell you, these were the envy of every hiker at the shelter that night! I slept with them on for fear of someone stealing them while I slept. Not really. I slept with them

On because it was cold !!