The Calm Before The Storm

My days are getting to be a habitual routine. I wake up, go to the bathroom (anywhere private I can find), retrieve my bear bag, eat, pack up camp, hike anywhere from 8 to 12 miles a day (with snack and water breaks every couple miles), set up the tent, get water for the night and following morning, eat, go to bathroom again (so I don't have to go in the middle of the night), sleep and repeat. There may be some variation to my day but that pretty much sums it up. I know, it sounds boring but being out here is amazing and exhilerating! 

I get to see all sorts of wildlife, brush up on my bird ID skills (binoculars would be a help but this forces me to ID by call and song), and enjoy my experiences and pains with fellow thru hikers. During a group conversation I heard someone describe a past thru hike as the most amazing time of there life... interrupted by hiking. Everyone laughed because it's very true. Breath taking views and scenery and even the social aspects of the trail are all so great to soak up.... the 4000 foot elevation change in couple miles is the part that sucks. But! Completely worth it!

Chef and I both soaked our feet after the climb down the mountain to the NOC. Many hikers stopped here to rejuvenate and get "real" food. We shared a small bunk house that night with some fellow thru hikers. A good night's sleep was needed for the 8 mile climb the next morning. Then only a few days hike to Fontana Dam, NC. 

A last minute decision was made to take a 0 day at Fontana Dam. The kennel picked up Chef the night we arrived in town. Unfortunately he isn't allowed in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Five of us split a cabin and made a feast of a breakfast the next morning. The day was filled with rest, food, beverages, swimming, and good ole sitting around doing nothing. Showers and clean clothes were also a huge plus! 

The smokeys will present many challenges. Hiking the trail is always tough but now I need to worry about norovirus, getting to shelters and finding a place to sleep, and the weather. Word travels quickly along the trail. And warning was given that norovirus was present in the GSM along with overcrowded shelters (these things usually coincide). On top of that it's supposed to rain the next couple days... majority of the time I'm in the park.  

Knowing this, I'm glad we took a 0 day. It gives the body and mind time to rest and it brings moral up. We had beautiful weather to swim and play. Now I'm ready to go with my group on to the next challenge.