Day 15 Monday - Cable Gap Shelter Mileage: 14 miles (156.0 total) So I took the 14 mile route today instead of pressing 3 miles to the campsite past the shelter, just prior to Fontana Dam. The ups after Stecoah Gap were R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S! No switchbacks, just straight up on a 40 degree incline. Screw it, I just threw it in low gear and mushed up the trail. My right knee started complaining towards the end of the day. Oh well, "Stop your whining"...

Day 14: Cheoah Bald (5002 ft) Mileage: 8.1 miles (142.0 total) Not a bad day at all! I woke up on an uncomfortable bed with a sore back (I like the hammock much better....when properly set up :-) ) Got packed, headed out to the restaurant for an AYCE (all you can eat) breakfast buffet. the cost was $7.00. What a country...I guess they haven't heard of outrageous prices yet. They had FRENCH TOAST STICKS! My grandmother used to make these for me when I was ...

Day 13 Nantahala Outdoor Center Mileage: 4.0 (133.9 Total) Woke up this morning to rain. Yuk! Everyone in camp was a bit baked from last night. I didn't expect anyone to be up at 7 AM (woke up 30 minutes late, oh well). I got on my way around 0840 with the sprint into the NOC. To a non-hiker, saying "its all downhill from here" may seem like a welcome thought, but after four miles of steep descent to the Nantahala River, you start wishing there we...

Day 12 - Wesser Bald Shelter Mileage 17.3 (129.9 total) So today was interesting, as all days out here generally are. Needless to say, the mileage definitely contributed to the flavor of the day. 17+ miles on this terrain is no joke. After leaving Siler Bald (and a beautiful sunrise). I headed to Wayah Bald and lunch. The whole idea was to cover as much ground as possible so as to minimized the next mornin's steep descent to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (N...

Day 11 - Siler Bald Mileage: 14.6 (112.6 total) This place has to be by far the most beautiful camp area yet. Yes, its a .2 mile walk up a steep, bald hill. Yes, it took almost an hour to get water and walk back up the mountain, but I'm sitting atop a moutain that has a sign saying "EL. 5216 ft", watching the sunset in a 360 degree fashion. The Appalachian Mountains look amazing. The only sound I can hear is the jets of aircraft flying overhead. I won...