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The Smokies
Mile 242
The smokies have been the best and the worst part of trail with pretty easy terrain (in comparison) but scary weather. I’m learning that people always have an opinion about miles ahead. It takes a lot of effort to disregard the comments because they have never felt true.
Entering the Smokies
Zosia (another thru hiker) and I entered knowing we’d be fighting time to make miles with a storm on the way. 6 miles away from the shelter we were warned that the storm was really gonna hit in half an hour. We sprinted and climbed as fast as we could. When the shelter came in view we were literally screaming in joy while thunder and lighting was crashing around us. We later apologized for our screaming after entering the very peaceful shelter.
Luckily the next two days of the smokies cleared up and we had great views at kuwohi and Charlie’s bunion. My favorite part out of these two days was taking a nap. A mile before kuwohi, we stoped for lunch at small patch of dried grass, it was a perfect spot for my first nap on trail. The sun was out so it was warm but you could still see the snow and frost on the trees.
Luck did eventually run out as more cold and rainy weather rolled in. But all was good once we made it the shelter each night for the worst of it. Lightning and hail at Cosby Knob shelter was definitely entertaining. Everyone behind the tarp in the shelter even went out watch the madness rather than just listening to it hit the Roof.
Leaving
The next day was a 10 mile head Down kind of hike with thick fog and on and off rain all the way to standing bear hostel. A zero at standing bear was exactly what I needed after going straight thru the smokies. I ate so many nutty buddy’s and resupplied with many more. But now im looking forward to hot springs. For good diner food and resupply.
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