Day 116: Hike from Fontana Hilton to Mollie’s Ridge Shelter
May 26, 2023
AT miles: 12.0
Ascent: 3916’
Descent: 1199’
Weather: hazy and low 60’s
Sightings: a bear
High points: The amazing view from the Shuckstack fire tower
May 26, 2023
AT miles: 12.0
Ascent: 3916’
Descent: 1199’
Weather: hazy and low 60’s
Sightings: a bear
High points: The amazing view from the Shuckstack fire tower
April 28, 2023
AT miles: 15.1
Ascent: 2649’
Descent: 4026’
Weather: mid~50’s and soaking rain all day
Sightings: rain slickers and raindrops
High points: successfully navigating the super-slippery trail
April 25, 2023
AT miles: 5.7
Ascent: 1081’
Descent: 866’
Weather: partly cloudy and mid-50’s
High points: the many great views and the wonderful dinner at the NOC
April 24, 2023
AT miles: 10.6
Ascent: 1963’
Descent: 2480’
Weather: sunny and cool— highs in the mid-50’s
Sightings:
High points: just walking along the trail
April 23, 2023
AT miles: 10.0
Ascent: 2532’
Descent: 1808’
Weather: cold and gray, with highs in the low 50’s
Sightings: a chipmunk, a friendly bird, and lots of wildflowers
High points: the incredible view from Siler Bald (and the donuts we were generously given)
April 22, 2023
AT miles: 8.3
Ascent: 2300’
Descent: 2064’
Weather: rainy but clearing, colder with highs in the 50’s
Sightings: gorgeous wildflowers, several unidentified birds
High points: spending several mellow hours hanging around probably the most beautiful shelter I’ve been at on the Appalachian Trail waiting for my hiking buddies
First day back on the trail in 2023 filling in from Deep Gap to Fontana Dam.
April 21, 2023
Ascent: 2934’
Descent: 2779’
Weather: clear, sunny, and mid-60’s — perfect hiking weather.
High points: it’s great to be back on the trail again. And since it’s spring, the wildflowers are amazing!
Last (planned) day on the trail for the year.
October 17, 2022
AT miles: 8.6
Ascent: 1801’
Descent: 2309’
Weather: mid-50’s, foggy, and windy
Sightings: a dusky salamander
High points: hiking through the foggy woods and finishing up this section!
Up and over Big Bald!
October 16, 2022
Ascent: 2782’
Descent: 3211’
Weather: mid-60’s, cloudy, and blustery
Sightings: chipmunks!
High points: the amazing views from Big Bald Mtn
October 15, 2022
AT miles: 11.3
Ascent: 1492’
Descent: 2958’
Weather: sunny, low 70’s, and breezy — perfect!
High points: sitting around a campfire after a glorious hike