Mile 275

Arrived in Hot Springs, NC to resupply and take my first full zero day. Myself and 4 other hikers rented a small cabin on the French Broad River. A nice place to relax, with hot springs across the street, plenty of beer and food.

I over did it the last couple days in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and now have a sore left ankle, the posterior tibialis tendon, I think. I'm not quite ready for 20+ mile days day after day. The weather was very cool, 50s, and lots of trail magic, so I was feeling like hiking a lot. Already feeling better, so should be back to normal soon.

So far NC is more mountainous and scenic than Georgia.The weather has not always been cooperative, so many of the scenic vistas were up in the clouds, but still plenty of views, wildlife, and good company.

Here is the picture show:

Not a dramatic entry into NC, but starts with a steep climb.

Trail Magic at Deep Gap. Kelly brought fried chicken, potato salad, crackers, chips, Gatorade, and beer to a group of hikers she is supporting. She invited us to help ourselves!

Luna, the trail dog, taking in the view on Standing Indian Mt

Camping on top of Standing Indian Mt.

A short day of hiking into the Nantahala Outdoor Center to eat and drink beer with fellow hikers.

Hikers getting resupply box. They almost always ship themselves too much so are often giving food away. I got some good stuff out of this one!

First live rattle snake sighting first day into the smokies. Luckily that guy coming the opposite way was stopped and warned us. Not a happy snake.

Fontana Dam from Shuckstack firetower.

Snake in the firetower!

Nice trail through the smokies

And nice views.

Camping out at Double Spring gap. Heavy rain arrived around midnight. Tarp did well in heavy rain/wind. Shirt and undies got wet.

The observation tower on Clingman's Dome, the highest point on he AT, was in the clouds upon arriving.

A break in the clouds offers a view on Clingmans.

Above 5500' the trail felt a lot like a hike in VT, NH, or ME.

Gearhead, former thru hiker, offering up some trail magic at Newfound Gap. I ate at least 1500 calories of apples, banana, doritos, donuts, and cliff bars.

A long way to go...

Hiking through the fog in the smokies. Missed some views on this section.

Lunch break view near Mt Guyot looking at Tennessee. Chestnut sided warbler singing from dead trees.

The Australian family that gave me scroggin, Australian for gorp.

Plenty of cold creeks to soak a sore ankle.

Max Patch on Memorial Day. Popular spot given the view and easy hike from road.

The Britton Bag in hammock mode in Hot Springs. Comfortable enough to be hijacked by fellow hiker.