Did a short climb of about 4 miles to the first shelter and dropped pack at about 1:30. No good reason. The options were to hike another 7 miles to the next shelter, or crap out here and do 12.5 miles tomorrow to the shelter beyond that. I took option Number 1.
I'm done for the day.
This is the bunk space:
Rudyard Kipling lives! Though I can't condone graffiti.
I have a signal here, food, a spring and an outhouse, and it really doesn't matter at all that I stop here. Tomorrow is another day. Because this shelter is just 4 miles from Newfound Gap, a major parking area for day hikers, the shelter features a stream of interesting parties. A group of ten Japanese tourists are here for lunch, a couple of young guys planning a thru-hike for next year just departed, and more folks come and go moment to moment. It looks like this from inside the shelter, looking out:
Everyone will have cleared out by 4 or 5 o'clock, and only the hikers will remain. The people will start making dinner and settling in. It's a beautiful spot, so I can't fault the day hikers for making the walk.
I could push on, but it doesn't make a lot of sense. I'm going to do 11.5 miles today or 12.5 tomorrow. I'm just warming up after leaving Gatlinburg, and I have a strong cell signal. And the view is good.
Looks good my dude!!
Loving every post and picture.