Wed 22 Sep - Fontana Dam

Warm and humid again.  Mid 80s.  Thunder this afternoon while we were hiking but no rain on us.

We hiked from Stecoah Gap to Fontana Dam, 15.6 miles.  No new problems so we plan to enter the Smokies tomorrow.  We saw a couple of grouse, both yesterday and today.

Fontana Dam creates Fontana Lake from the Nantahala River.  The dam is the highest east of the Mississippi.  

We also passed the shelter known as the Fontana Hilton.  It can sleep 24 people and has access to bathrooms with real toilets and a shower.

I have a signal tonight because we are at the Stecoah Diner.  The special tonight is chicken fried steak.

Tue 21 Sep - Stecoah Gap

Foggy and cool at dawn becoming hot and humid.  High 88.

We hiked 13.6 miles from Stecoah Gap back south over Cheoah Bald to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC).  My blisters and toenails did OK and so did Wendy's knee.  So tomorrow we resume north from Stecoah Gap to Fontana Dam.

Acorns are raining down from the oaks and in some places leaving a collection of little brown ball bearings on the trail.

We saw a snake on the trail.  Wendy passed it first and took some pictures.  She thought it might be dead.  But she walked around it and kept hiking.   I took some pictures too and confirmed it was alive - it hardly moved or responded.   I think it was a timber  rattlesnake but it was yellowish - maybe because it had just shed it's skin.

Mon 20 Sep - The Hike Inn, zero day

Hot, humid, low 90s.

Another round of aqua therapy this morning,  then some resupply in town and at NOC.  We drove north to the Hike Inn near Fontana Dam, our base for the next few days.

There are 30 miles left in the North Carolina section between NOC and Fontana Dam.  We will do that the next two days slack packing (with the help of Jeff and Nancy at the Hike Inn).  This will be a good, safe test for my foot.  If all goes well, we will continue into the Smokies after that.

We do not have a signal here so I am not sure when I will be able to send updates.

Sun 19 Sep - Dicks Creek Gap, Hiawassee

Warmer and more humid.  High 88.

We made it!  68 miles in 4 days.  Back to Hiawassee.  Exhausted. Sore.  Injured.  After showers, we took the elevator down one floor, and drove across the street to the AYCE buffet.  Then hot and cold aqua therapy.  Now bed.  Recovery is proceeding well.

The two pictures (not my foot) are at Bly Gap on the Georgia - North Carolina border.  This is where Captain Blythe was given his trail name, probably eight years ago.

More tomorrow - a zero day and car relocation.

Sat 18 Sep - Standing Indian Shelter

Nice hiking weather - low 70s at the warmest.  Low humidity but still hazy. 

Today we saw two deer, a rabbit, a snake, and of course squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and even a vole.

During the night last night, I woke up could not sleep because of pain in my legs due to exertion and pain from the blisters.  I thought there was no way I could do another 20 mile day.  But after some more sleep, treating the blisters, and packing up, I felt much better.  Although I expect the same tonight.

We hiked 19.7 miles on the AT today.  After 16.7 more tomorrow, we will be back in Hiawassee (we cross back into Georgia tomorrow).

We are at Standing Indian Shelter, just below the almost 5500 foot  summit of Standing Indian Mountain (our big climb today).

North Carolina has been good hiking.  The trails are well graded - not too steep and use switchbacks.  Lot of rhododendron and mountain laurel.  We are really in the green tunnel much of the time.  It would be beautiful in spring.

Fri 17 Sep - Rock Gap Shelter

Foggy at dawn but a cooler, less humid day.  Maybe 80 in the sun but 70s in the green tunnel.

Tough day - 19.6 miles - Wendy with her knee problem and me with my blisters.  Her knee is bad on the mornings but seems to get better through the day.  Exhausting for both of us.

If we can do 19.7 tomorrow and 16.7 on Sunday, we will be back to Hiawassee and have done in four days (67.5 miles) what took us five coming north.  If we can do it without hurting ourselves.  In any case we are doing much better. 

High point today was Wayah Bald at 5342 ft. which as the stone tower being reconstructed.  Views have not been good and it is hazy. 

Some good water sources today but some dry ones too.  We need to stay fully loaded when we have the chance.   Time consuming and heavy!

Thur 16 Sep - Cold Spring Shelter

In spite of a seven day forecast for sunny weather, we had light rain in the afternoon. Enough that got out the rain gear but not enough to get us too wet. Otherwise, warm, low 80s.

This morning we drove to Sally and Joyce's house and left the car. Joyce took us north into North Carolina and the Nantahala National Forest. This area has high mountains with 4000 foot gaps and 5000+ foot peaks. Nantahala is Cherokee for "land of the noon day sun".

We climbed all morning to get from 1700 feet at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, NC up to Wesser Bald, Rocky Bald, and Copper Ridge Bald - the last two at over 5000 feet. They must have been named long ago because they are all covered with trees and have minimal views.

The shelter we are in tonight is at 4920 feet. It was built in 1933 by the CCC. It is not well maintained - bear cables are broken for example. We would have gone to the next shelter but Wendy was not doing well. Her right knee is still a problem and she got a bee sting below the left knee. She wanted to go further but decided against it so we had a short day as I planned. Tomorrow will determine if we are out for four or five days this trip.

Water is still short supply. No rain in the forecast.