Dicks Creek Gap to The Fontana “Hilton” – Mile 69.6 to Mile 165.9

Day 6 – Dicks Creek Gap to Plumorchard Gap Shelter – Mile 69.6 to 74.1

After taking my Spanish Praxis in Asheville, we got our stuff together (slowly) and were back on the trail by 5. So we enjoyed a short evening hike that concluded with a dinner of Chick-fil-a we’d picked up on the way and the best night of sleep to date for me on the trail.  

Day 7 – Plumorchard Gap Shelter to Carter Gap Shelter – Mile 74.1 to 93.9

The day held a number of milestones, including the crossing of our first state line,  

 climbing our first 5000 foot mountain,  

and ultimately our longest day by distance (19.8 miles). Before climbing Standing Indian Mountain we ran into some locals who had been up on the mountain harvesting ramps, a wild onion that grows at higher elevations, and they kindly shared a number with us. 

Along the way I decided to finally document the lovely trillium that have lined the trail along much of our hike  

and the view from Couthouse Bald. 

The day ended with a number of familiar faces at the shelter, including Ben (“Homefry”), Gabe (“Immy”), Finch, Pony, Otis (“Papa Oats”), and O2. And a couple new acquaintances in the marijuana-loving Ganjaman and Space Cadet. 

Day 8 – Carter Gap Shelter to Siler Bald Shelter – Mile 93.9 to 114

This misty day we once again upped our mileage as we made it 20.1 miles to Siler Bald Shelter, where we arrived to a mixture of guitar and ukulele music drifting through the woods. We crossed the 100 mile mark at Albert Mountain  

  

  

  

  

and passed by the opportunity to visit Franklin, NC, but otherwise the day was somewhat uneventful. 

I have yet to actually stay in a shelter, as we’ve camped each night. But they offer a good opportunity to meet fellow hikers. 

Day 9 – Siler Bald Shelter to Wesser Bald Shelter – Mile 114 to 131.4 

We started the day with a view from Siler Bald,  

and continued on to a view from the stone tower on Wayah Bald  
        before finishing the day in a light rain at the Wesser Bald Shelter with Aaron and Two-Pack, among others. 

Day 10 – Wesser Bald Shelter to Sassafras Gap Shelter – Mile 131.4 to 144

My 25th birthday was a memorable one. We began by descending 2400 feet from “The Jumpoff” 

  down to the Nantahala Outdoor Center where we had a feast of a lunch and visited their outfitters, and ended up spending a 3 hour lunch break before ascending 3000 feet to the “Jump-up”  
and our destination for the night where we met a couple ROTC fellas from North Georgia out for a section hike.

Day 11 – Sassafras Gap Shelter to Cable Gap Shelter – Mile 144 to 159.2

Turk and I both had boxes waiting for us in Fontana Village that we couldn’t pick up until Monday morning, so we took our time on Saturday, crossing paths with Pebbles, Not Bam-Bam, and Captain America, as well as a few groups out hiking for the weekend. The day began with a view from Cheoah Bald

and ended with our feet soaking in the stream by the shelter. It was lovely. 

Day 12 – Cable Gap Shelter to the “Fontana Hilton” – Mile 159.2 to 165.9

We took our time again as we made the 6 mile descent to the Fontana Dam area and the famed hot showers, power outlets, and functional restrooms the shelter promised. It did not disappoint, and we were able to rest cleanly for the first time in a week. 

We were joined at the shelter by thru hikers Captain America, Blister, Hoss, and a German named Uhaul, and a number of section hikers doing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park section of the trail. 

At this point, we’re still very much enjoying the experience and each other’s company. Aside from some ankle soreness and a strained muscle, my health has remained good. We expect to continue to increase our pace in the upcoming week with hopes of arriving at Hot Springs by Saturday.