Miles Hiked Today - 14.8
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 293.3/2,193 (13.37%)
Tent site (369.4) to Stan Murray Shelter (384.2) - camp at Stan Murray Shelter
Total ascent - 4,201’
Total descent - 3,222’
Total States Completed - 1/14
Another big day for me today. 14.8 miles with 4,201’ vertical ascent. But - I was able to set myself up with a really reasonable day tomorrow with 11 miles and minimal vertical into Roan Mountain.
I knew I had a big 2,400’ climb in the middle of the day. I took things slowly. I met up with Road Rash and her dog Sadie at a couple breaks. Her dog appears to be an older collie - she was tired as can be. She came over, sat beside me, and fell asleep. All was going well until the skies darkened, thunder/lighting rolled in, and a major rain/hail storm ensued. I was still about 1,000’ from the summit. I took cover under a bank of small trees and waited it out for 20-30 minutes. Once the lightning was gone - I continued to hike in the rain. Only problem - I just so happen to be hiking to the highest shelter location on the entire AT - Roan High Knob Shelter (6,270’). With this in mind, temps were in the mid 40’s. I had to keep moving to keep from getting hypothermic. I was completely soaked to the bone after the 30 minute storm. All good - made it to the top - took a few quick pics, grabbed a snickers and headed down.
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Interesting Elevation Markers:
Roan High Knob Shelter - 6,270’. (Highest Shelter on AT)
Clingmans Dome, TN - 6,643’. (Highest Point on AT - located in the middle of the Smokey Mtns)
Mt Mitchell, NC- 6,684’. (Highest Point on the entire East Coast of US - highest point east of Mississippi River)
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On the way down the mountain - the sun started to come out a bit. The final 5-1/2 miles went pretty smoothly with some great views of a few bald peaks. (See pics). I even saw my first whitetail deer of the trip. (Astonishing I haven’t seen one yet). I’m feeling a little stronger on the uphills - but by days end, my feet and calves are just about shot. I need to get this soreness under control if I want to go 5 miles further on a daily basis. I need to ice them down at the end of the day - there’s just not been an opportunity with a nearby stream lately (plus weather has been cold)
Tomorrow I’ll get an early start to get to my hotel for the night. Hanging tough in Tennessee!
Clouds moving in
Early morning pic - clouds rolling in
Interesting - near the Roan High Knob Shelter
Rainy
A little break on the way up the mountain
Afternoon
Afternoon views - after the rain
Afternoon views
Wet trail
More trail pics
Great afternoon views
Very high elevations all day
Awesome views
Highest shelter on AT - way too cold to stay here
Nice trails - maintained well
One of my favorites
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