Day 18 – Breakfast Sandwiches

Today was long! But it came with its ups and downs, literally and figuratively. I had a slower start to the morning and left camp after Becca and Queso, as I had to do some self-negotiation about whether I would wear my dry camping clothes for hiking today or change back into my still-wet hiking clothes. The debate was fierce but I ultimately made the best long-term decision and put on my wet hiking clothes. Camp clothes must be kept dry! There was no breakfast this morning because Queso’s boyfriend was bringing us breakfast sandwiches and chocolate milk from Newfound Gap! Along with a small replenishment of some snacks and toilet paper. Not to throw anyone under the bus, but someone who started with a “B” and ended with a “rock” was very close to running out of money. Oh, the joy of living with your backpack.

Run towards the newly discovered gap

Since I started later than Becca and Queso, I had to get up and keep going! Fortunately, the ~5 miles to Newfound Gap were relatively easy and mostly downhill. I was going like a fat kid to a buffet and was able to get there in just one hour and 25 minutes. Upon reaching the gap we were also treated to some trail magic! Sponsored by a local church, we first went for some snacks and a Coke. After that, we found Queso’s boyfriend and had breakfast. Two breakfast sandwiches with biscuits, one chicken and one sausage, plus a rich, cold milk chocolate. I also took this time to lay out some of my clothes that were wet and dry them in the sun, much to the bewilderment of the many tourists walking by. I was a scene to behold. This could have been my welcome moment to the hiker trash.

Charlie’s bunion

After overstaying our welcome, we (the four of us) headed to Charlie’s Bunion. The trail after Newfound Gap was a pretty good climb, although it was packed with day hikers. It was quite a dynamic change with how crowded the trail was compared to what it normally seemed like for us hikers. They all looked and smelled great, clean, fashionable clothes mixed with the smell of soap and deodorant. Compared to our scruffy and stank like a high school boys locker room. Anyway, we all shared the great views of Charlie’s bunion side by side.

Charlie’s bunion

We uploaded some good photos and then we said goodbye to Queso’s boyfriend and Becca. Becca’s foot had been bothering her, and with two tough days ahead of us, we made the smart decision not to push through the pain and make it worse. Instead, he was going to base himself at Standing Bear Hostel and provide some trail magic via shuttles.

And then there were two

We moved forward with the goal of doing about 21 miles total today, which meant we had about 13 miles left and it was already early afternoon. The afternoon had us walking along ridges and among spruce and spruce trees. It was quite windy at times, especially along the ridges, however there were numerous beautiful views to go along with it.

We even had relatively quick but steady rain for about 20 minutes. Long enough for me to finally give up and put on my raincoat only for it to stop within 5 minutes and the sun to come out a few minutes later. Not much else of importance happened for the rest of the afternoon other than logging the miles and reaching our target shelter, Tri-Corner Knob Shelter.

We arrived around 6:00 pm at a very busy shelter. But each of us found a spot in the shelter, laid out our sleeping mats, and set about preparing dinner. I used my stove again today, two days in a row, no big deal. I ate freeze-dried biscuits and gravy someone gave me. All I had to do was boil water and add it to the bag, and it was fantastic! At that time it started to get dark, which was my cue to finish eating, filter the water, and go to bed. We hope to get an early start tomorrow to get us out of the Smokies in a reasonable amount of time. Hoping there are no mice or loud snoring tonight…

Statistics for the 18th:

20.6 miles

5,026′ ascent, 4,974′ descent

Mount Collins Shelter to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

10DSLC…

Times the stove has been used: 3

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