Mar 23

DAY #21
START LOCATION: Fontana Dam Shelter
FINISH LOCATION: Russell Field Shelter
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 13.8
TRIP MILEAGE: 177.5
MILES TO GO: 2,001.6

Mega snorer wasn't too bad last night. I slept well with the 15 or so
folks at the "Hilton". I was out in the middle of the pack by
9:00AM... I was planning my biggest day yet and I knew some Fontana
Dam tourism and the big morning climb into the Smokies would eat up
time.

Lots of overcast but impressive views and photos at the Dam... Which
yes... At 480' high its the tallest in the east. I'm thinking I'll
have my next round of pics uploaded at Gatlinburg, TN if I decide to
go there.

Strenuous but satisfying climb today... My Achilles' were screaming,
but felt fantastic otherwise. I'm noticing that my hiking, compared to
others is strong on the climbs and slower on the flats and downs. I'm
not surprised, it's how I was as a cross-country runner. The weather
started out drizzly and foggy... As we reached the TN/NC ridge, there
was fog on one side of the ridge and clear as a bell on the other
side. A very strange sight, and I think my camera was able to catch
the phenomenon, but we'll see. Sun and blue sky took over completely
by late morning and it got up to the upper 50s/low 60s through he
afternoon.

I wasn't all that excited about the Smokies hearing all the horror
stories about deep snow packs and such, but today's hike was a great
start and very enjoyable terrain and weather-wise. Just a little snow,
more mud and mostly packed dirt. But...Who knows what awaits as we
ascend over 5,000' tomorrow and 6,000' the next day. The shelters are
pretty cool... Stone and mortar buildings with fireplaces. But, the
bummer is the lack of privies. Had to pull out my trowel for the first
time today and exercise my "Leave No Trace" principles.

About to break the 2,000 miles-to-go barrier! That should hit by 10AM
ish tomorrow. I doubt there's a sign or marker, but I might draw a
line in the mud or snow. Ha.

-n8dog