Day 1

Aug 23rd Clingman's Dome to Icewater Springs Shelter 11miles Seeing as James and I didn't get on the trail till 3pm, the exhausting hike put us well into night. For whatever reason, I got the bright idea of starting right where I left off two years ago, Clingman's Dome. The trail started out beautiful and to my surprise, full of blackberries. Many times I stopped to top off a 16oz nalgene with as many of the tart beauties as I could grab. Continuing down from the top, our knees wanted to buckle as we'd head straight down. The uphills were that much worse another 5miles along. It was getting dark as we reached Newfound Gap, and we dawned out head lamps. Three miles later down Sweat Heifer we got pretty spooked by a bear and decided to turn around to the closest shelter, Icewater Springs. And here I lay, listening to the several snoring men. I want to thank everyone who helped me get out on this trip, especially Dad and Janet. I miss everyone already and hope to get the chance to meet up along this adventure. Good: blackberries Bad: forgetting to bring several necessities