The water supply is plentiful in the Smokies but untreated water is full of nasty bacteria. Treat it with iodine, which leaves an awful aftertaste. Or filter it, which requires an expensive piece of equipment. We used iodine, disguising the chemical taste with powdered Gatorade mix, which worked pretty well until we ran out of Gatorade. We were saved by Jim the Floating Gardener, who let us use his water filter.
Hikers are always happy to share equipment and advice.
It wasn t until later that we learned how we d changed on the inside. Before we left the Smokies, we drove up to Clingman s Dome, at 6,643 feet the highest point in the park. There s an observation deck there. The Appalachian Trail passes within a few yards of it. A steady stream of people huffed and puffed up the mountain to the observation deck.