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3/22 -- Stayed at Fontana Inn last night with Robocop and Lilac.  What's nice about getting to these motels is that you get to shower and wash your clothes.  Anyway, we started into the Smokies and did an easy 5.2 miles.  We stayed at the Birch Spring Shelter, which had a fireplace and a fence in front of it.  

3/23 -- Did a very tough, all up 10.2 miles and made it to Spence

At left, a view of Fontana Dam, NC.
By Mike Calabrese

Field.  We are starting to see "power hikers" now.  These are the guys that do 15-25 miles a day.  God Bless 'em!  I'll stick with my 10-12 a day.  More trail magic today.  I left my knife in front of the Fontana Dam Post Office yesterday.  Someone recognized it as mine.  It was passed among the faster hikers, and I was handed it tonight.  Amazing!  We hit Clingmans Dome in about 2 days.  It's the highest point on the AT--around 6600 ft.

3/24 -- Bad day.  Had to tent last night the; the shelter was full.  I stayed dry all night.   It only rained intermittently.  However, this morning when I was taking down my tent it started raining cats and dogs.  My gear and I got soaked.  I was not in a good mood.  Robocop, Lilac, and I were going to do either 6.2 or 11.2 depending on the weather.  It rained all morning and the trail was tough, all ups and downs.  So, I sent word ahead with "Peanut Butter"  to tell Robocop and Lilac to go ahead as I was hurting.  I got to the shelter around 1:30.  I have the feeling that I may not see Lilac or Robocop again.  Lilac is getting off at Davenport Gap.  Robocop is getting his trail legs now and is starting to do the miles.  I'll miss them.  I am toying with taking a day off in Gatlinburg. However, I will be 3 days behind getting out of the Smokies so I'm not sure.

3/25 -- Did a nice 8.2 miles to Double Spring Shelter.  Cool,

At right, an interior view of Birch Spring Shelter in the Smokies.
By Mike Calabrese

overcast weather in the 40's.  Good hiking weather.  The trail through the southwestern Smokies is in rough shape.  It is rutted and full of blowdowns. There's a lot of trash in the shelters.  Many college students are on spring break so the shelters have been crowded.   

3/26 -- We had the 4th snow storm early this morning.  It is at 4" now so I am stranded at Double Spring Shelter.  I have enough food for about 5 days.  We have been skirting the TN border for the last few days.  Three states down, two to go.  I may be in this shelter for a while.  

3/27 -- It ended up snowing 8-12 inches.  I was very apprehensive about hiking over Clingsman's Dome, the highest point in the AT.  The sun came out and the scenery was fantastic! Did a rough 6.2 miles and got to Mt. Collins Shelter.   I ate and got into my sleeping bag by 5:30.  There were about 10 of us there.  I dozed off while listening to my walkman.  I awoke 3 hours later and discovered that a group of 12 from Florida descended and there were bodies and gear all around me.  We couldn't tent outside because the snow was too deep; so, we ended up cramming 22 people into a shelter that was designed for 12.

3/28 -- It was chaos the next morning and crazy trying to get packed up.  I did it, hiked the 5 miles to New Found Gap and within 5 minutes hitched a ride to Gatlinburg, TN.  I will take a day off tomorrow and get some much needed R&R.  The Smokies, though beautiful, were not kind from a weather standpoint as well as the general condition of the trail.

3/29 -- Day off.  Back to the trail tomorrow.

3/30 -- Didn't want to leave Gatlinburg but I did.  The Stoney Brook Motel was a great place to stay.  Did 10.5 miles and got to Pecks Corner Shelter.  The snow and ice were still a problem.  The "duff" on the forest floor had a special aroma, having been saturated by the snow and then warmed by the sun.  Only 21 miles to go to get out of the Smokies!  Chance of rain tomorrow, but the rest of the week looks fine.  

3/31 -- Terrible day!  It was a cold, rainy day.  Only did 6.2 miles and got to the Tri Corner Shelter.  Didn't get too wet.  I hope this stuff blows over.  It's a mental downer.

4/1 -- A  lot of water on the trail today at first, but the day turned out

At left, Lilac poses in front of Birch Spring Shelter.
By Mike Calabrese

OK.  All down hill.  I'll be out of the Smokies tomorrow.  Stayed at the Cosby Knob Shelter.  I finally found out what the "Bouncing Ball" noise I've been hearing was.  The mating call of a Grouse!

4/2 -- I finally made it out of the Smokies and to Mountain Mama's!  This was the first day that I can remember that I was the able to hike in a tee shirt and shorts.  It was 75 degrees.  It looks like Lilac got off the trail at Gatlinburg.  A ridge runner escorted him and Robocop from Mt. Collins during the snow storm and brought them to town.  Robocop is now 2 days ahead of me.  I saw my first spring flowers today. Some of the trees are beginning to bloom.  I got some cards from the guys at work as well as brownies from Nance.  Both were a real pick-me-up.  230 miles down-770 to go!!  

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