IMG_4386 — K and M at Bly Gap, the border between Georgia and North Carolina. One state down, 13 to go...
IMG_4391 — Odd name for a trail, no?
IMG_4392 — K on Ridgepole Mountain.
IMG_4393 — Summit of Albert Mountain.
IMG_4394 — M climbs the fire tower on the summit of Albert Mountain.
IMG_4395 — K and M on the fire tower on the summit of Albert Mountain.
IMG_4396 — View from the summit of Albert Mountain.
IMG_4397 — Craig packs out his own bag as well as Michael's (aka "Eleven"/"XI") from Rock Gap Shelter so he can slackpack to ease a pained knee.
IMG_4398 — K walking down trail near Winding Stair Gap.
IMG_4399 — Trail Magic from a local church group at Winding Stair Gap. They had all varieties of cold sodas, snacks, supplies, and first aid waiting for us.
IMG_4400 — Flick and M enjoy a beer with Rebel Yell, who packed them in near Winding Stair Gap.
IMG_4401 — Waterfall at Winding Stair Gap.
IMG_4402 — Siler Bald Shelter.
IMG_4403 — Flick on Siler Bald.
IMG_4405 — K climbs the stone tower on Wayah Bald.
IMG_4406 — M and K on the summit of Wayah Bald.
IMG_4409 — We night hiked down from Wayah Bald to discover Apple's dome basecamp in the dark at Buringtown Gap.
IMG_4410 — M, K, Flick and Apple inside the domed basecamp at Burningtown Gap.
IMG_4411 — Apple, Flick, M, and K outside Apple's dome basecamp at Burningtown Gap.
IMG_4413 — Apple, Flick, M, and K outside Apple's dome basecamp at Burningtown Gap.
IMG_4414 — M on the observation deck atop Wesser Bald.
IMG_4415 — Flick, Traildust, and Dovetail on the observation deck atop Wesser Bald.
IMG_4417 — K in raingear leaving Rufus Morgan Shelter - this is the first rain of the whole trip, 14 days in.
IMG_4418 — M and K in raingear outside Rufus Morgan Shelter - first rain of the trip and it's already been two weeks.
IMG_4419 — Flick and M approaching the Nanatahala Outdoor Center (NOC).
IMG_4420 — M at the NOC.
IMG_4421 — M and K enjoy the Big Lebowski while doing laundry at the NOC.
IMG_4423 — M, K, and Flick eat and drink by the river at the NOC.
IMG_4424 — M on the bridge across the Nantahala River.
IMG_4425 — Original AT trail marker at the NOC.
IMG_4426 — After much resistance, K gives in and purchases trekking poles at the NOC.
IMG_4427 — Ice-crusted treetops atop Cheoah Bald.
IMG_4428 — Ice-crusted treetops atop Cheoah Bald.
IMG_4429 — K and M at the summit of Cheoah Bald. Trees in the distance are coated in ice.
IMG_4431 — Flick snores in the sun atop Cheoah Bald, enjoying a warm spot on a very cold day.
IMG_4433 — Bearline tied to Locust Cove Gap sign. Not a lot of available brances that day.
IMG_4434 — Interesting tree and icicles.
IMG_4435 — K attempts to manage a smoky fire at Walker Gap on another cold day.
IMG_4438 — M approaching Fontana Dam, NC.
IMG_4439 — M entering Fontana Dam.
IMG_4440 — K and M at Fontana Lake.
IMG_4442 — Fontana Dam.
IMG_4443 — The other side of Fontana Dam.
IMG_4445 — K and M at the Hike Inn.
IMG_4446 — K with Catzilla, a resident feline at the Hike Inn who bears an uncanny resemblance to our well loved cat Rosie (who is home in Pittsburgh).
IMG_4448 — K and Catzilla, a resident feline at the Hike Inn who bears an uncanny resemblance to our well loved cat Rosie (who is home in Pittsburgh).
IMG_4449 — Catzilla really looks a lot like Rosie.
IMG_4450 — Jeff and Nancy (operators of the Hike Inn at Fontana Dam) with K and M.
IMG_4451 — Oh sweet computer! At the Fontana Dam Resort there was a computer with high-speed - after several failed attempts we were finally able to upload photos! The access is very much appreciated.
IMG_4452 — K and M at the entrance to the Smokies.
IMG_4454 — K climbs the firetower atop Shuckstack Mountain in the Smokies.
IMG_4455 — K, M, AT Ridgerunner Jim, and Flick at Mollie's Ridge Shelter.
IMG_4456 — Russell Field Shelter. In the Smokies, many of the shelters still have chain link fencing to prevent overzealous bears from entering. However, these are gradually being removed due to tourists feeding the animals through the fencing.
IMG_4457 — M on the summit of Rocky Top.
IMG_4460 — K at the summit of Thunderhead Mountain in the Smokies.
IMG_4461 — Flick, M, K, and White Crow having a grouchy lunch on a hard day at Derrick Knob Shelter.
IMG_4462 — K, Flick, M, and friends from Alabama at Russell Field Shelter.
IMG_4463 — M and K at the summit of Siler Bald in the Smokies... which way to go?
IMG_4464 — Flick & K en route to Clingman's Dome
IMG_4465 — View from the trail leading up to the Clingman's Dome summit.
IMG_4466 — Sign leading to Clingman's Dome Summit.
IMG_4467 — Observation Tower at the summit of Clingman's Dome in the Smokies.
IMG_4469 — M and K on the observation tower at the summit of Clingman's Dome. This is the highest point on the AT.
IMG_4473 — Informational sign at Clingman's Dome observation tower.
IMG_4474 — Informational sign at Clingman's Dome observation tower.
IMG_4475 — Dead trees at Clingman's Dome observation tower. The rain here is more acidic than almost anywhere in the country as all the garbage from midwestern industry is dumped in the mountain precipitation. The results look like this.
IMG_4476 — K cautiously approaches icy trail on the north side of Clingman's Dome.
IMG_4477 — K and M navigate an icy trail on the north side of Clingman's Dome.
IMG_4478 — Icy trail on the north side of Clingman's Dome.
IMG_4479 — Mount Collins Shelter in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is nestled in a small hollow. One of the more pleasant shelters in the park.
IMG_4480 — Morning inside Mount Collins Shelter.
IMG_4481 — K in the morning sun between Mount Collins shelter and Newfound Gap in the Smokies.
IMG_4482 — M in the morning sun between Mount Collins shelter and Newfound Gap in the Smokies.
IMG_4483 — M at Newfound Gap in the Smokies, on the TN/NC border. The border, and the trail, follow the ridgeline through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
IMG_4486 — M and K prepare to ascend Charlie's Bunion in the Great Smoky Mountains.
IMG_4487 — Flick and K at Charlie's Bunion.
IMG_4488 — K and M on Charlie's Bunion.
IMG_4494 — View of the mountains from Charlie's Bunion.
IMG_4495 — View of the mountains from Charlie's Bunion.
IMG_4484 — K resting at Icewater Spring shelter in the Smokies. Check out that view!
IMG_4485 — Flick attempts some fancy footwork to avoid the iced-over trail near Icewater Springs shelter in the Smokies.
IMG_4489 — Charlie's Bunion
IMG_4490 — Flick on Charlie's Bunion
IMG_4498 — Great Smoky Mountains
IMG_4499 — Great Smoky Mountains
IMG_4501 — Great Smoky Mountains
IMG_4502 — Flick and K discuss whether or not to go on at Cosby Knob Shelter
IMG_4505 — K hikes near Davenport Gap Shelter
IMG_4507 — Campfire at Davenport Gap Shelter
IMG_4513 — M and Flick approach I-40
IMG_4516 — K, CB, Flick, M, and Singe at Standing Bear Farm
IMG_4511 — I-40
IMG_4512 — M and Flick approach I40
IMG_4514 — M and Flick crossing I-40 (our first interstate crossing)
IMG_4515 — Standing Bear Farm
IMG_4518 — Snowbird Mountain
IMG_4519 — FAA tower atop Snowbird Mountain
IMG_4520 — Max Patch
IMG_4521 — Max Patch
IMG_4522 — USGS marker for Max Patch
IMG_4524 — M & K hike Max Patch
IMG_4526 — CMC Plaque
IMG_4527 — AT emblem inset in sidewalk in Hot Springs, NC
IMG_4525 — K at AT Plaque approaching Hot Springs, NC
IMG_4528 — Smoke Mountian Diner, Hot Springs, NC
IMG_4529 — Plaque in Hot Springs, NC
IMG_4530 — Signage in Hot Springs, NC
IMG_4531 — M is happy to hit the bed after 9 days out in Hot Springs, NC
IMG_4532 — Red Caboose welcomes visitors in Hot Springs, NC
IMG_4536 — NC's finest snacks.
IMG_4537 — K in the dark
IMG_4534 — M & K enjoy dinner in Hot Springs, NC
IMG_4540 — Allen Gap
IMG_4541 — M slackpacking on a misty day from Allen Gap back to Hot Springs
IMG_4543 — Bear Sanctuary sign
IMG_4544 — Rich Mountain fire tower
IMG_4568 — M enjoys real food. Even though it's made from hiker food.
IMG_4542 — M & K slackpacking from Allen Gap to Hot Springs
IMG_4545 — View down from Rich Mountain fire tower
IMG_4550 — Hot Springs from Lover's Leap rock
IMG_4551 — Hot Springs from Lover's Leap rock
IMG_4553 — French Broad river
IMG_4566 — French Broad river
IMG_4569 — Dr. Enuf
IMG_4573 — M on a ridge b/w Allen Gap & Jerry's Cabin shelter
IMG_4570 — M and pack on a ride to the trailhead
IMG_4572 — Too slow?
IMG_4575 — Jerry's Cabin Shelter.
IMG_4576 — K, M, and Flick enjoy a fire at Jerry's Cabin Shelter
IMG_4580 — Shelton Graves
IMG_4583 — TN Line
IMG_4585 — I-26 from a mountaintop.
IMG_4586 — Flick and K decide which way to go.
IMG_4587 — Horse and Ass
IMG_4588 — M hikes toward the horse and ass
IMG_4589 — M, horse and ass
IMG_4591 — Flick and M diggin ramps
IMG_4594 — Ramps taste good.
IMG_4595 — K hikes toward Big Bald in thick fog
IMG_4599 — Nolichucky River
IMG_4596 — Flick, K , Habitual Hiker, and Umbrella Lady
IMG_4597 — K hikes between Big Bald and Erwin
