Well, Jonathan Adcock and I are embarking on our 2nd attempt of the Appalachian Trail section from border to border in the Great Smoky Mtns National Park. The quest started last year as the last big training run before Gina and I went out to Colorado to tackle the San Juan Solstice 50 miler. Last year we ran the AT North - South in two 31 mile days. We didn't have the legs to continue on the 8 miles between Newfound Gap to Clingman's dome, so we bypassed this section and started at Clingman's on day two last year.
This year, the plan had us finishing this thing off, putting in an uphill day from Fontana Dam to Newfound Gap for around 41 miles followed by a 31 mile day from Newfound Gap to Davenport Gap. The girls were going to do the opposite direction as us on day 1 and then do their own thing on day 2 to get in 50 miles.
I choose a Camelbak Octane 18. I carried 10 bars, 1 bagel with Nutella and PB, 1 serving of Heed, 100oz of water, 2 20oz. camelbak podium chill hand held bottles with HEED (carried one and packed the other for later), 1 gel (for the carb emergency), some Endurolytes and Protrypsin pills, phone, camera and a sawyer mini water filter.
Jonathan and I started at around 7:20 on a 50 degree morning. The forecast was for a sunny 65 degree day. After 10 miles on the trail we realized the forecast wouldn't be so kind. We were first greeted with light falling sleet, followed by light rain and fog, followed by snow, where we met up with the girls at the mile 21 and the Derrick Knob Shelter. They were in much better spirits. We put on our light rain jackets hung out and shared trail stories and then headed out for 20 more miles.
The point I was looking forward to was Clingman's Dome. This signified the highest point we'd be reaching, and, along with it, a mostly downhill 8 miles of trail to the end of day one. We were treated with brief periods of spotty blue sky that quickly got eaten up with clouds and fog. At one point we hit a .3 miles to the Clingman's Tower sign and I could see the tower in the distance. I should have taken a pic here because as we approached the tower we were engulfed in fog, rain and wind.
The last 8 miles were OK. We were blessed to have the down hill but much of it was over steps 2+ feet off the ground, so we were having to run, hop and jump down much of the trail, which for me was tough on tired legs. I kept thinking about catching a toe on a rock and biting it. Jonathan on the other hand went down hill like a champ and I was on the chase most of this section.
These last 8 miles were through very impressive old cedar trees, many of which had fallen and had been cut out of the trail. There were a number of sections where they had been cut into discs and these discs were used as stepping stones. It was in one of these sections that we started to get hailed on. The hail was about half the size of marbles and looked as though it was packed snow. It didn't hurt and in many places it covered the trail. I have never seen hail like it before.
At the end of the day the trail wound around a corner and we were brought back into the real world of Newfound Gap. This is one of the busiest sight seeing stops in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is a sign here that marks the state line between NC and TN. We got in a few pics and got the heck out of there.
Overall the day went well. I think I ended up with minor chafing and both Jonathan and I felt pretty good with no major body aches or complaints.
The day ended at around 6:30pm. You can see all the Garmin Stats here - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/502392424
Photos - I wish I had taken more but the weather condition weren't good for a camera - https://www.facebook.com/josh.gilbert.31/media_set?set=a.10201977133092798&type=1
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