Total Miles Hiked: 165.6
Miles Hiked Today: 6.4
Calories Consumed: A bunch
Today was a great day. We eventually wandered out of camp by about 8:50. Our Destination, the famous Fontana Hilton Shelter. Given that name due to the beautiful location overlooking the lake, bathrooms with showers, and nearby amenities in Fontana Village.
Our first sign we had arrived was a bathroom with real plumbing and a coke machine. From there, we called a shuttle and got a ride into Fontana Village. We went straight to the Lodge, as I had placed a few amazon Prime orders and they were waiting. I picked up 2 1/2 pounds of Peanut Butter M&Ms, a new backpack, a foam sleeping pad, and 2 bulk cans of Mountain House freeze dried food to keep the weight down in our packs. To hike the AT through the Smokies, you either need to carry 5+ days of food, or waste a day getting off the trail in the middle, going into Gatlinburg, spending tons of money, etc. We don't normally do Mountain House for every meal, but it is a good way to keep our pack weight low and skip the resupply in the middle.
From the lodge, we then walked to a restaurant and got burgers for lunch. Next, we walked down to the general store, laundromat and post office to finish our preparations for the Smokies. By 4pm, we were done in Fontana Village and caught the shuttle back to the trail.
On our hike to the shelter, Sage spotted this spider.
A brief hike to the shelter, led us to our lakeside accommodations for the night.
I picked up tortilla chips, salsa and cheese, and tried making nachos armed only with my canister stove and a 1.5 oz titanium frypan. I also made chili hot dog burritos for dinner. Other hikers in the shelter happily helped finish off the hot dogs and tortilla chips.
Today felt like a zero day, we are fed, rested, re supplied and ready to tackle the Smokies. I cannot promise daily updates for the next 5 days as cell coverage will be limited. I'm also on limited power, as my battery backup is not fully charged.
So far we have not seen a single bear on our trip, this may change as we enter the Smokies. We will be extra careful with food, wrappers, anything that smells, as the Bears are very active right now. All food and smelly things will be hung on the bear cables at night, and they only allow camping at designated shelters while in the park.
Smokies here we come.
We are glad Amazon found you. Hurrah for plumbing. We can see why it is called the Fontana Hilton. It would be wonderful if everyone had the opportunity to go on a multi-day walk in the woods and realize more deeply what we have been blessed with. We hope your wildlife sightings continue to be spider size. You have set us up for high expectations of photography with your post-sunset photo of the Smokies. Hope you find cell coverage on the peaks as we eagerly anticipate your postings.
ReplyDeleteWe are glad Amazon found you. Hurrah for plumbing. We can see why it is called the Fontana Hilton. It would be wonderful if everyone had the opportunity to go on a multi-day walk in the woods and realize more deeply what we have been blessed with. We hope your wildlife sightings continue to be spider size. You have set us up for high expectations of photography with your post-sunset photo of the Smokies. Hope you find cell coverage on the peaks as we eagerly anticipate your postings.
ReplyDeleteGoing to sorely miss your daily postings. I'm sure any pics you take will make up for this. Just please take some good notes so we don't miss out.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are so wonderfully prepared, with supplies arriving at the right time, extensive knowledge of the trail's best stopping points, etc. I'm really impressed.
Best wishes for a great hike and fantastic weather in the Smokies!
Going to sorely miss your daily postings. I'm sure any pics you take will make up for this. Just please take some good notes so we don't miss out.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are so wonderfully prepared, with supplies arriving at the right time, extensive knowledge of the trail's best stopping points, etc. I'm really impressed.
Best wishes for a great hike and fantastic weather in the Smokies!