Today’s Miles: 16.6
Trip Miles: 248.3
“Goin’ down hill, you got me goin’ down hill. And still I can’t get my fill of you.” – John Anderson
Sunny, with a high near 67. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Up at 6:50. Dozed back off till 8:00. Out of camp at 9:40. Looks like a real nice day. No clouds and warming up to 65 and dropping 3300 feet in elevation. Mostly downhill today. Should be to camp by 4:30.
Stopped at an overlook for some pictures of Pigeon Forge and on to Knoxville in the distance. Had cell service so I ordered red pepper flake packets from Amazon. Will arrive at home tomorrow. I’ll have Dana send me those and a new pair of shoes to Erwin, TN. Will be there in about 6 or 7 days.
It never ceases to amaze me how much temperature can change with a little elevation difference. Back home I get roughly 500 to 700 feet of elevation difference between my house and my normal day hiking spots on the AT in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Just that small elevation change can have a 5-10 degree temperature difference and cross the rain/snow boundary. Out here I’m dealing with elevation changes in the 3000 to 4000 foot range and temperature swings of almost 40 degrees.
Stopped at the abandoned helipad at 11:00 for a snack and a video. Now I start the BIG descent out of the Smokies. Interesting that I’m feeling a little regret about that given how crappy the last week in the Smokies has been. Guess it goes to show what two good days in a row can do !
YouTube video of abandoned helipad.
Stopped at Crosby Knob Shelter at 1:30. Did some maintenance on my feet and socks, had lunch, topped off water, and rested up. Have not finalized my destination for today. If I feel good, I may go past Davenport Gap Shelter and tent outside the park tonight. Will see how I feel in 4 more hours.
I got my last good view of the Smoky Mountains at 4:30.
YouTube Video of last view of Smokies.
Deposited my backcountry permit and exited the Smokies at 6:20. Made a really good time today. Bittersweet feelings about leaving the Smokies.
Made camp at 7:00 about 2 miles outside the park. Very cool unofficial campsite with a fast-moving stream splitting the site in half. I’m camped on one bank of the stream, and a young man that I have met several times since Fontana is on the other bank. Good cell service.
Ate dinner at 8:00. Got a hot dog from my neighbor camper to go along with my chicken and rice. Called Dana after dinner and chatted for a while.
Rain starts tomorrow afternoon and goes till Saturday. I want to get into Hot Springs early on Wednesday. To make that happen, I need to make big miles. I’m going to try for Roaring Fork Shelter 17.5 miles away tomorrow. Decent amount of uphill tomorrow as well.
Technical Notes:
- Tea 0
- Justin’s nut butter 210
- Honey Stinger waffle 150
- Snickers 250
- Trail mix 270
- Fritos 320
- Dehydrated pork 240
- Knorr Mexican rice 585
- Water liters 3.4
- Miles 16.6
- Time 8:40
- Elevation gain 2115
- Elevation descent 6471
- Calories consumed 2200
- Calories burned 6500
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