It's all downhill from here...

3/24/08 - Ok. So they weren't entirely prepared to head out yesterday, scrambled to find a ride today & BARELY made it on the mountain before the park rangers closed the road to Newfound Gap.

• Just in the nick of time - the rangers told them they were closing down the stretch of 441 that runs thru the Smokys as they were pulling into the parking lot at the top - due to snow, and threatened them with the prospect of 4-5 inches and temps in the single digits in the mountains tonight!
• Passed hikers he met at the Blueberry Patch Hiker Hostel during the day & didn't feel so bad about taking 6 days off... hiked 16 mi today.
• PLENTY of room in Tricorner Knob shelter - no one else was there! At least they'll have each other for warmth. I know for a FACT they're not above snuzzling with one another. Come to think of it - I don't think Isaac packed warm sleeping attire... just boxers...
• Forgot to mention - Clingman's Dome was the highest pt. on the whole AT at 6,643 ft - you know what that means... !

ouch...

[in reference to week III progress chart above - not the video below which is a small slice of Actionality on Saturday at Upper Big Creek, TN. Isaac in the Storm & Amos in the Nomad. Both little piggies were cracked & filled up with water on Upper Big Creek... down Lower Big Creek... and (we we wee) all the way back to Isaac's house on the Upper Pigeon - it was cold and pretty darn miserable by the end - every one's hands were numb. So then again I guess... ouch.]

Isaac.

Amos.

Isaac.

Amos.