5/2/99 Fontana Dam   Miles Today : 21.3 Miles from Springer : 163

Wow. What another great hiking day today. The 9 of us woke up in time for the sunrise this morning and it was almost as nice as the sunset last night. Trailhead and Rob left us first with the intention of making it to Fontana Dam shelter. The Trail Princess and Fah-Queen left followed shortly by Drive-By and myself. The six of us had the intention this morning of doing the 20 mile day.

The day itself was great, with numerous views of the mountains and Fontana Lake. The temperature was good. I am having more and more problems with my pack, however, I now plan on ditching that thing no later than Hot Springs. Drive-By and I both struggled some today as the terrain was hard and both of our packs were heavy. We managed to pull each other up over the each mountain on the way. Trailhead and Rob also made it, but unless T. Princess and Fah-Queen night hike the last few miles, they will not be joining us tonight.

There was a reunion tonight. Wildflower is here at the shelter and Monk is staying in town. Also, I have met a bunch of new people, Poopsie, Snowflake, Kozie Bunny and Bill to name a few. Snowflake and Cozy Bunny are buddies (yes, guys) who named each other the worst possible names they could think of.

I would write more, but I am absolutely exhausted. Oh, yeah, while walking through a picnic area to the shelter, I bumped into some picnicers who unloaded two boxes of cookies, two bananas and a six pack of apple-juice on Drive-By and I - TRAIL MAGIC! The Shelter here kicks ass with well water and heated bathrooms with running water. Oh yeah, and the shelter overlooks the lake and the Smokies. Sore but very happy.

-Chomp

< Previous Entry | Next Entry >