Nantahala Outdoor Center

Brandon is off and running. Well, not running, but darn close. The past few days mileage has cranked up significantly compared to last week. Hovering right under 20 miles for past two days, Brandon, Russ and Kevin have made some serious progress. The section of trail from Hiawassee, GA to N.O.C. is not an easy one either.

View Atop Wayah Bald

On the last post, Brandon stood atop Albert Mountain, a significant, tough climb with a rewarding view from atop a fire tower at the summit. I don't know who wrote the guidebook for the Southern States of the AT, but every time a "scenic overlook" is marked, it makes you wonder what time of year the author wrote it. It must have been written in winter time, otherwise, each mountain top is as green as the valley below it. This ongoing string of many unrewarding mountain top views is commonly referred to as the green tunnel. The green tunnel syndrome disappoints a lot of hikers, but I feel it makes the views you do get more rewarding.

After knocking out a four day stint to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, near Bryson City, NC, Brandon enjoyed half a day of relaxation at the River's End Restaurant, which hangs over the Nantahala River. This little tourist town, based around whitewater and paddling sports, is nestled in a valley between the ridge that the AT runs. It is a long six mile decent down into it, with a challenging ascent out of town as you make your way to Fontana Dam, the Southern Terminus of Smokey Mountain National Park. Brandon is planning on arriving there soon, before slowing things down and really enjoying the Smokey Mountains, weather pending of course.

View South of Clingman's Dome

Things to look forward to over the rest of the week and weekend include climbing up to Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail (it's all downhill from there), the Smokey Mountains (America's most visited National Park), and reaching the 200 mile mark (just under 2,000 miles to go; it doesn't sound so great when you put it like that) and a host of other views and potential wildlife sightings.