Trevor called tonight from Fontana Dam. He said he, Mountaineer, and another hiker named Fin all arrived there a day sooner than scheduled because they were able to do a 16 mile hike yesterday out of NOC. Although the hike out of NOC was tough, when they arrived at the 10 mile point he said they felt too good to stop. At Fontana Dam they ate at the "Mountain View Bistro" where he devoured a French dip, French fries, and fried pickles! They convinced a maid at a hotel to give them hand towels and they were able to get a quick shower.
After eating Trevor went to the post office to pick up the food he mailed ahead from Hiawassee. Trevor said his food arrived fine but Mountaineer's didn't make it. Apparently Mountaineer had mailed his food before ever leaving West Virginia for the trail and it never arrived. Fortunately, they were able to find enough food in hiker boxes that other hikers had left behind, coupled with some of Trevor's extra food, to get Mountaineer by for a couple days before needing to resupply. Originally they had planned to go straight through the Smokies, but given Mountaineer's food situation those plans have changed. Trevor said Fin's girlfriend is meeting him near the trail in Gatlinburg on Friday and he has offered to give Trevor and Mountaineer a ride into town so Mountaineer can resupply and they will stay overnight there.
Trevor said he's taken a leap of faith that the nice weather will hold out and has mailed home a few items such as his gaiters, face mask and gloves. He also mailed home his SPOT GPS so hopefully we can get it replaced and sent back to him quickly.
Tomorrow they will cross Fontana Dam and head into the Smoky Mountains. They plan to hike 13 miles to Russell Fields Shelter, then 17 miles on Thursday to Double Spring Gap Shelter, and then arrive in Gatlinburg on Friday. If things go as scheduled, they plan to get out of the Smokies and arrive at Davenport Gap Shelter on Monday where there is a hiker hostel and they can take a zero day, resupply, and do laundry.
That zero day sounds great to me. Continue to take care of yourself and I'm so glad Mountaineer is still with you.
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