<<Log Index

3/18 -- Slept in till 7 a.m.--Ate at River's End Restaurant at NOC, then we were off at 9:45.  We seemed to have lost "Lilac".  We think he is ahead of us now. Today was

At left, the bunkhouse at Natahala Outdoor Center.
By Mike Calabrese

the hardest 6.9 miles that I have ever hiked.  We ascended 4500 feet today.  This was not fun.  I am hurting. My back muscles are really sore.  Robocop assures me that from here to Fontana Dam it will be better. We stayed at the Sassafras Gap Shelter.  The last few days we have seen snow and ice on the trail. It has been slippery!  I fell twice!

At right, a neat sunrise taken from within my tent.
By Mike Calabrese

3/19 -- Hiked 9.1 miles.  It was mostly up and down until the last up, which was a killer.  We stayed at Brown Fork Shelter.  We have now hiked 150 miles--only 850 more to go! ! !

3/20 -- Robocop wanted to hike the 12 miles into Fontana Village.  I didn't because today is Saturday, and the Post Office closes at 12:30.  I can't get my mail drop until Monday. So rather than push myself, I hiked a leisurely 6.2 miles to the Cable Gap Shelter and relaxed from 1:30 on.  This will be my 1st night without Robo.  He will be in Fontana Village

At left, a distant view of the Smokies from Wayah Bald, NC.
By Mike Calabrese

tomorrow night so we'll probably hook back up.  I had some more trail magic today.  I was eating lunch at the side of a road when a local trail maintainer came down the trail from the north. He asked me if I wanted a cold Dr. Pepper.  Man, was that good!  Good hike today (6.2 miles). Not too many "ups"--no rush to get anywhere.  However, it is supposed to rain tonight, tomorrow, and maybe Monday.

<<Previous Log | Next Log>> | More Pictures