Day 14 of AT in TN NOBO

Derrick Knob Shelter (mile marker 189.8) to Mt. Collins Shelter (#202.8).
Daily Mileage: 13.0

Day 14 started off calm and relatively clear, but would certainly not end that way in what would be the toughest test of our journey thus far.

Today’s trek took us up and over the highest point on the whole Appalachian Trail: 6,658 ft Clingman’s Dome. We began at an Elev. of 4,771 ft and ascended to the top of Silers Bald (5,452 ft) by 12:00 for a nice, quick group lunch. We wanted to get going as rain was predicted for later in the afternoon.

The group started to spread out and by 1:30 I hiked past Double Spring Gap Shelter and started the 3 mile ascent up to Clingman’s Dome. 1 mile later it started to rain and progressively got worse over the next 3 hours. Temps fell into the upper 40’s with strong thunderstorms and torrents of water rushing down the trail. Being soaked, cold and trekking in water up to your ankles is a bit worrisome, especially when you still have 4 miles left to reach the relative dry/warmth of the shelter. I got up to the top of the fire tower/dome, took a quick pic & video (zero views obviously from a tower that normally has the best views in the Smokies 🙁) and kept moving now downhill towards the shelter.

It was tough to see the correct way to go in the heavy fog & rain, but I was fortunate to get to the shelter by 4:30 and get some dry clothes on and start a fire. Chipmunk was there from the previous night (he didn’t want to leave and hike in the storm that day). I was worried about Cassian, Moment (his trail name, a 24 yr old guy from Pepperell, MA who is very chill), Chris & “Drama-llama”. 2 hours later Chris & Maxine walked in, which was amazing… she was pretty calm about the events of the afternoon for a 9 year old. Chris on the other hand was trying to stay calm for her sake. 🙂Cassian & Moment it turns out had turned around halfway up to the Dome and went back to Double Spring Gap Shelter. Thankfully as Cassian had been having a leg problem and it would’ve been tough for him to successfully make it to Mt. Collins. So…. all ended ok and we lived to tell the tale. 😮‍💨Baca lagi