Adventures on AT with more miles and an end

Slack Packing 14 miles

My daughter Ellie and I took advantage of a slack packing opportunity to cover the 14 miles before Fontana Dam and the Great Smoky Mountains.  It was the longest day hike and had rewards of a snickers bar from the Marina if we got there before 6pm.  We were able to leave our full packs at the Bed and Breakfast, Jeff and Cynthia provided shuttles to and from the trail.  We only took some lunch, our water, and our rain jackets.  The trail is getting so greener and we had a large selection of wildflowers that I will share at the end.  (We even found a box turtle on the path the week before.)  So much life to appreciate on the trail.  And so many memories of childhood returning, as the trail seems to allow a good amount of time to think.

12 miles from Fontana Dam to the Smoky Mountain Shelter

So excited to start the part of the Appalachian Trail through the Smoky Mountains.

It was going to be a long day and our packs were heavy with fresh resupply.

We are so much stronger at the climbs!  

We started hitting some rain that would turn to small hail back to rain with breaks in between.   The more experience we have with the rain and level of saturation of the trail really changes how we hike the rocks, mud and tree roots.  The more rain, the more slippery everything becomes.

The shelter was going to be a challenge to reach, but we were within a couple miles.  Planning to get under the shelter and have some late supper.

Plans changed pretty dramatically.  The portion of the trail we were on was fully saturated with water running down the path.  We thought we just had a little more ground to cover.

I slipped in the mud around 5:30pm.  My ankle went a direction it should not have gone.

Ellie sent the SOS.  She set up the tent.  I cut my drenched pants off and crab walked to the tent as Ellie carried my injured leg.  Got dry clothes on and held out through the freezing temps until the next morning.

Claire, a trail runner first responded to the SOS.  This afternoon I was air lifted to the hospital in Knoxville.  My ankle has been readjusted.  Surgery will be tomorrow or the next day.  My adventure is changing.  I really haven’t had time to reflect.

Just providing a caution, when the rain continues there are fewer safe options.  

I have really enjoyed my time on trail, and want to share these wildflower pics from a couple days ago.  Take care, Mic.

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