Today I forced myself to take a day off trail. I will be heading from the Tiny Cabin in the Woods to Cherokee, North Carolina. Rest, laundry and resupply are on the agenda; perhaps some ice cream and tourist shopping too!

To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.

Abdul Kalam

Today I connected with my previous hikes through the Smokies. Over 200 miles from Springer Mountain is now complete. Tomorrow I’ll be jumping to Newfound Gap to complete my hike through the Smokies.

I’m at the Tiny Hiker Cabin in the Woods for the night. Tomorrow will be a zero in Cherokee, North Carolina before heading into the Smokies.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #23 (4/4/23)
Start - Sassafras Gap (143.8)
End - Stecoah Gap (150.6)
Today's mileage: 6.8
Total section miles: 150.6
Section Avg:  7.5*
Total miles on AT: 1186.2
   * Zeros (3) not included

The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.

Charlie Chaplin

Today was the big climb; over 3,000 feet in 6 miles. To my surprise, I covered the distance in under four hours. I’ve got trail legs!!! (At least for now.) I’m staying in the Sassafras Gap shelter for the night. There are storms predicted, and the weather is supposed to clear tomorrow. It’s over Cheoah Bald tomorrow to Stecoah Gap.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #22 (4/3/23)
Start - NOC (136.7)
End - Sassafras Gap (143.8)
Today's mileage: 7.1
Total section miles: 143.8
Section Avg:  7.6*
Total miles on AT: 1179.4
   * Zeros (3) not included

What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.

Confucius

I got up at sunrise and was the first one to leave the shelter. The NOC was calling me. The trail down was steep and sometimes treacherous. But I made It!

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #21 (4/2/23)
Start - Wesser Bald (131.0)
End - NOC (136.7)
Today's mileage: 5.7
Total section miles: 136.7
Section Avg:  7.6*
Total miles on AT: 1172.3
   * Zeros (3) not included

There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self.

Benjamin Franklin

Left out of Cold Spring late after the storm overnight and hiked slow, partially because Bluebird was trying to catch up. The rain was done but strong winds whipped across the ridges. The Wesser Bald tower view was amazing but I darn near got blown off the tower.

After meeting Rush the Vistula, I rolled into Wesser Bald Shelter at 3:15, leaving 5.7 miles into the NOC tomorrow.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #20 (4/1/23)
Start - Cold Spring (125.2)
End - Wesser Bald (131.0)
Today's mileage: 5.8
Total section miles: 131.0
Section Avg:  7.7*
Total miles on AT: 1166.6
   * Zeros (3) not included

Life’s Tragedy is that we get old to soon and wise too late.

Benjamin Franklin