Date: 2015-03-18
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

At 7am, about half a dozen alarms went off throughout the shelter, and everyone (including me) scrambled to turn the noise off. It was dark outside the shelter still, and no one moved for about 15 minutes. After that, it was a slightly different daily routine because we didn't have tents or breakfast to sort out. I quickly packed up my gear and went up to meet Freshground. He wasn't there, but his helper was already making pancakes. I had 2 pancakes, a banana and some tea. An excellent way to start the morning. Whilst there, I weighed my pack- 26lbs! But I was actually missing my roll mat, which Brightside thankfully noticed and brought up to me. That would have been an uncomfortable few nights to Gatlinburg! About 9.30 we left and headed down to the actual Fontana Dam, and then into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We followed Smasher and his dad, who had been walking with him for a couple days, into the park. We had to put in our $20 permits in a box at the entrance, and then we were on our way! I had expected the Smokies to be a lot harder to start. We had another 1700 to 5,000 ft climb over about 9 miles to the first shelter. It wasn't so bad. My feet weren't too painful to start, but gradually got worse throughout the day. I have a new blister on my right little toe. I wish my feet were better already. It feels like if I didn't have blisters then everything else would be fine. The blisters are still slowing me down and are more than a little demoralising. Brightside has some alarming looking marks from her hipbelt rubbing, so at least I don't have that too. I will say that for the Osprey Exos, it's quite comfortable. The shelters out here are made of stone and wood, with tarp covering and plastic roofing. Only the last of the 3 we passed today actually had a privy. All of them have bear cables. There was a bit of a surprise at the first shelter, Molly Ridge, when there were four horses tied up. They belonged to some rangers who were doing repair work to the shelter, and all were completely disinterested in us thru-hikers. The trail was okay for the most part, more gentle climbs and falls. The weather was also mild, not too hot or too cold, but with plenty of views. We had originally planned to only go to the second shelter, but we got there so fast that we decided to go on. There are a lot of people who had the same idea. The shelter is full of almost everyone from Fontana last night, and more people who stayed in the lodge. (Including Greywolf, Smasher, Deerdog, Rhode Island Express). There are also a lot of people who are section hikers or spring breakers. My gas also chose this dinner to stop working. I am certain that it should have lasted a bit longer, but it's impossible to tell how much is in them. Again, Brightside came to the rescue and allowed me to use her gas for tonight's dinner. But this means I need to get into town asap to resupply or else I'm going to be stuck with some very cold and disgusting meals in the future. At least I don't need to cook my lunches. At the moment, Brightside is trying to decide if she wants to carry on hiking during the night or not. Whatever she decides, I will not be following. The temperature is supposed to drop tonight, and I've seen too many warnings about bears today. ~Brightside decided to stay. The temperature is dropping still and the sun hasn't set. The Smokies are renowned for having unpredictable weather, but it's expected to get bad from tomorrow. Hopefully, we will get to Clingmans Dome (the highest point on the AT) and see some views.