Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Day 21 Fontana Shelter to Russell Field Shelter

165.9 to 179.8 or 13.9 miles. Started 6:28 and finished 4:20 pm. 

Saturday, 30 May 2015


Was a tough day with about 3,700’ of gain and lots of loss. I'm now in the Smokies and traveling along the TN/NC border. Saw a deer, toads and lots of snails. 

The Fontana Hilton could have been better dubbed the Hanoi Hilton last night. Torture for the few of us that wanted to sleep. But we couldn’t leave. 4 of the 7 of the visitors there at dusk were partiers. They came in late and with headlamps. Then tenters were singing and playing guitar at 11:00. At least two noisy groups arrived after that with headlamps. One was bragging loudly about doing 22 miles. Then about 2:00 am, the drunk guy’s snoring woke the braggart. He loudly complained and woke everyone, whereas the drunk guy lit up a smoke. 

It was enough to drive a person off the trail. The good thing about the evening was the double rainbow after yesterday evening's rain. I think most of the obnoxious folks didn't enter the Smokies. 

Scott Jurek came by today trying to break the AT supported speed record. I got to  see him and his assistant walking uphill then shift to running downhill. Also saw his camera crew down by the dam. 

The shelter here is a nice double decker for 14. So far, at 6:41, there's just three of us. The other two are section hikers—math teachers!

My ankles were killing me the last three miles. But didn't feel like an injury. Hopefully they will be fine tomorrow. 

Have a good evening!

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