Date: 2013-03-28
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter - The Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Entering Smokies Tomorrow, probably no cell coverage so will have long post tonight.Will do it in multiple posts, so look back to read everything.Today's hike was relatively EZ with a few ups & downs. Great breathing weather at mid 20's to start & mid 30's @ noon at Fontana Dam.   Dropped 2100 feet from the shelter to the dam but there still were a few humps to attain ridge lines to get to the defending ridge line leading to Fontana Dam, which @ 480 feet is the highest dam east of the Rockies & was built during WWII, backing up the Little Tennessee River to provide electricity for late war manufacturing.Anyhow, had to resupply for the 72 miles thru the Smokies.   Don't like the idea of 24 miles from Newfound Gap to Gatlinburg (tourist trap).   So I Road walked 2 miles to the Fontana Resort General Store.   Took the 3 clam shuttle back & humped the 1.2 miles over to the shelter with 2 plastic bags of food where I repackaged it. The "Fontana Hilton" accomidates 24 and is supposedly the nicest on the A T.   Will be leaving prior to 7 am for a long day tomorrow starting with a 3300 foot climb up to attain the ridge line (backbone of the Smokies).   A have chosen an aggressive plan and will attempt to do the 72 miles in 3 days.   60% chance of rain Sunday means plan B probably will take effect.   Trail conditions of up to 18" @ Clingmans Dome (highest point on the A T), but a small army left here today to pack down down the snow.   We shall see.Might not be able to post til Davenport Gap,But will catch up when possible.In the 2nd half of this post will talk about what I have learned inThe last9 days.Well, well, well! Where to start. How about how this all came together. Back in October I was tossing around the idea. All my previous hiking experience was day hikes. Some rather substantial, like:Grand Canyon - Rim River Rim on July 31st, 2010MT Saint HelensMiddle TetonSour Dough Mtn in North CascadesHalfdome @ Yosemite.All these hikes were over 4500 vertical feet with Sourdough & Middle Teton over 5000.The difference with this type hiking & the A T is a HOT MEAL & warm bed at days end and NO RAIN. On the A T, the hiker dictates nothing - the WEATHER dictates everything. So, as I tossed the idea of a thru hike around, I started reading & reading & reading & reading & reading.Got some books, read them & the got a break when I bought the Ultimate Hiker. This book became my lifeline to gear decisions and prep.Early in the book it is explained that Backpacking is quite different from Thru Hiking. Backpackers can carry high weight to camp & back. Thru hikers with heavy weights only get back HOME - usually very quickly. Light is key. Only clothing that can be wore in multiple layers should be carried. I can wear every piece of clothing in my pack except all the socks. The most important piece of gear? Your SHOES. So I hunted for wide shoes. Found a pair that I thought would work. Started some trail runs to pound the feet into shape. When I was sure i had the right shoes, I committed to buying more gear & 2 more pair of shoes. Think 5-7 miles per pair. I used the same approach for the rest of my gear. I did NOT make expensive gear purchases & looked for on line coupons. I then did a pre Xmas prep hike on the A T @ Clarks Ferry on Peters Mtn north of Harrisburg with 28# which I figured would be max pack weight.Back hurt some next day because I didn't know how to load the pack. Did some more research & learned that all heavy stuff needs to be placed high and against your back. No problems since and 21-22 pounds rides quite easily. Tomorrow will be more like 26.Will continue after I post this. Don't want to time out & lose it.Continue my prep with what works best. Actually hiking with a pack. Absolutely must toughen up the feet. Did some long prep hikes on trails to build endorance. Thru hiking is a marathon - a continual pounding day after day with Mother Nature controlling the conditions.Now the SKINNY. I do this to offend no one, but SO MANY HIKERS GO TO SPRINGER UNPREPARED! Both gear wise and condition wise.Five of Six fail thru hiking the A T.1 in 4 quit at or prior to Neels Gap @ mile 32.Less than 400 thru hike the trail in 1 year. This years extreme weather will make that number much lower. Snow hiking has an effect on people. There is snow up the trail to mile 375. That's a LOT OF snow which after melting means lots of mud which means more FALLS.yesterday was NOT a good day for me, but I managed some miles after a late start. Will I fall into the group of 5 or group of under 400?TWT, but today was much better with signs of spring (Sweet William)Tomorrow starts another chapter - the SmokiesThey will be conquered without a doubt, but that leaves 1950 miles to go & lots of more snow.I have a feeling all Yhe snow will be gone by July 4th.Today was day 9 & I am close to on schedule for completing this trek by then.I look at it this way, there is only 96 more days left to place tons of memories into my mind.Someday when I am old, I will probably think about them. I will take some pictures to share with you all, but I WON'T share my food I am getting ready to cook.Will need that for tomorrows 10-11 hours & mostly uphill.Stay tunedHasta Ma±ana