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| Atop Clingmans Dome elevation 6,643 feet |
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| Entering the Great Smokies |
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| Ice on descent of Clingman's Dome |
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| Three states down entering Tennessee |
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| Dundee and Jay,; day hiker Jay gave the guys a lift into Gatlinburg |
Tom is in Gatlinburg avoiding some wild weather and taking a rest with some fellow hikers today. After leaving Fontana Dam he hiked 15 miles to Russell Field Shelter and then the following day went again 15 miles to Silers Bald Shelter. Yesterday was a 14 mile trek to atop Clingman's Dome and then near Gatlinburg. All in all the weather has been fabulous, however, there was ice on the descent of Clingman's Dome and Tom captures a picture-he reports that the hiking was treacherous and he took a spill. He and Dundee came across Jay as they were nearing the Gatlinburg area who was day hiking and he the guys a lift into town. Interesting note, Angelle and Chuck Reichert had run into Dundee as they were day hiking near Fontana Dam last Saturday. Tom also ran into William for the first time since meeting him the very afternoon that Tom departed from the trailhead at Springer Mountain 18 days ago. The hike has taken a toll on his backpack as the waist belt is separating from the actual pack so today a visit to NOC in Gatlinburg for a new one is on the agenda. There is a sense of accomplishment as the hikers have already reached the highest point on the entire Appalachian Trail and avoided the weather for the most part.
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| New backpack from NOC Gatlinburg ready to hit the trail again. |
Anne
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