I’m tired and my feet are sore.  I’m currently in at the Traveler’s Inn in Marion, Virginia.  Have some pictures…. There lives a black snake at one of the shelters.  You can see his head and yellow/white chin near the…

It’s morning right now and I’m up the trail from Damascus.  There’s a college class here, a group of about 20 people.  Listening to the professor is a nice change from the normal shelter chatter. I knew they were not…

It’s morning right now and I’m up the trail from Damascus.  There’s a college class here, a group of about 20 people.  Listening to the professor is a nice change from the normal shelter chatter. I knew they were not…

I took a shuttle from the GSNP to Damascus with some fellow hikers.  We tried camping out adjacent to an area known as tent city.   Tent city doesn’t open up for a few more days.  In about 15 minutes of…

Let’s talk about last night.  I crossed Fontana Dam at about 6:30 pm, then it’s a small hike to the entrance of the Great Smokies National Park.  I planned to hike about 5 miles to the first camp site. Above…

Today is Wednesday, May 7th.  I’ve arrived to Fontana Dam.  I took a zero day yesterday.  I’m currently waiting for the Post Office to open at 11:45 to send off my winter sleeping bag.  I found a summer bag in…

I hitched into Bryson City for groceries, laundry, food, and just to explore the charming town.  Then I hitched back to the NOC.  There was some sort of Mini Cooper rally – at least 25 of them. There are some…

I woke up at 7:00 am.  It feels later, but when the birds are singing and the sun is rising, it’s hard to sleep in.  Also, I’m low on food, mostly because of my recent days of low milage.  Today…

I hike 7 miles North to the next shelter instead of backtracking to town (Franklin, NC).  Its very overcast, steady gusty winds, a bit cold, and almost raining.  Its not really raining, but instead it’s the heaviest misting you’ve ever…

About last night… The two hikers i saw on the trail yesterday afternoon made it to this shelter  We chatted all night.  I learned a lot about them.  In short, this is their first time out in the woods.  They…