Day 149, 18.1 miles
Standing Bear Farm/SOBO mile 1956.7 to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter/SOBO mile 1974.8 (Smoky Mountains NP)
Entered the Smokies today!
Left Standing Bear Hostel by 5:30am. Had a big day and wanted to get going as soon as possible. Almost 7000 feet of elevation gain was on the menu!
Broke all that elevation into small chunks and tackled each bit in steps. Had a few views here and there. Patches of snow and ice on the trail above 6000 feet! Saw the site of a 1980s small plane crash (the two people did not survive) and an old helicopter landing pad.
Am now at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter in the Smokies at 5887 feet. I thought the shelter was full when I arrived since some guys were in there with their stuff already out and all over the place, so I pitched my tent nearby. In the Smokies, you have to stay in the shelter unless it is full. If it’s full then you can camp in the immediate vicinity.
I am on a very slanted spot. Every time I lay down I slide into the corner of my tent. Hope I can sleep.
Weatherman and two hikers that were at Standing Bear never showed up; I think Weatherman said he was going to continue to the next shelter today. They never passed me on the trail though. Maybe they decided to do fewer miles instead.
Tomorrow will be a bit easier in terms of miles and elevation gain. Will reach Newfound Gap and head into Gatlinburg to resupply.
