AT Hike - Winding Stair Gap to Clingmans Dome

“Time to plan a spring section hike on the AT. Sign up!!!!!”

“CD,

You may want to send this to the rogue hiker list. I'm thinking that you may get some takers there...

'32oz”

“Damn! I would love to join you on this!”

“Then c'mon WK!

Good idea 32oz.”

“Cannot spare a week. We may be in DC for a wedding later in 2009 and then we have plans for a family vacation.

Plus if I took a week for myself, I think the locks may get changed before I return.”

“I hear ya. I couldn't have taken a week off either when I had little ones at home.”

“I don't know if Grace will as much, but Charles is going to be my sherpa. I cannot wait until he hits 5 or so!”

“7 days to do 90 miles?”

“The day in the middle is short to allow for resupply, and the last day is only 6 miles.

Wanna go??”

“Sorry, I already have a two week hike planned for in the spring :)”

“Wish I could. The only thing I get to do in spring is Trail Days.”

“You can always jump on at Fontana Dam!”

“I'll see ya there at Trail Days mildbill, I finally git ta go!! Now that we're back in WNC.

I cain't do the whole hike, but dang shore I'll be there a day or so.”

“My job really busts loose from March 1 thru Sept 30, so my hiking time is limited, but I always plan on Trail Days.”

“I stay off the AT during thru hiker season.”

“Yeah you gotta good point there chili.”

“I stayed at Haven's in 06. It was packed with hikers. We probably averaged about 3-4 hikers per room. BTW there used to be a nice steak house w/buffet just down the street, not sure if it is still there, but may be worth checking out”

“why are all the fun people and trips on the east coast us westerners need to do more group trips. either that or move east”

“If you stop at Clingman's Dome, you might as well slackpack to Andrew's Bald... 3 miles round trip..

I'm thinking about this trip...

'32oz”

“wildbill, I stayed at Ron Haven's Saffire Inn last year before and after my section hike. I made reservations in advance and had no problem getting a room.

The steak house was still there last year, but I had Thai food with a couple of thrus that I met on the trail. They were both triple crowners and we had a very interesting conversation over dinner.”

“This is exactly in the middle of my busiest time of the year. Middle June would fit me better”

“What's that section like? Do you have to stay in the shelters?”

“You are only required to stay in the shelters or at designated campsites when you are in the Smokies, which is the last two nights. I will be getting the permits.”

“Creek and EMAN, did you not see chili's remark. Unless you smoke up the trail, you can forget about sheltering them last 2 nights in the Smokies, there'll be plenty of thru-hikers at that time, some w/o tents too.”

“The NPS will still give out reservations during thru hiker season, but they cut the permit allotment during that time. Every one on this trip will need a permit.

That being said, even with a permit, the shelters will be full.”

“That's a pretty aggressive schedule. You may consider leaving the cars at Fontana and doing a loop inside the Smokies rather than going to Clingmans. If you have to bail its a long way to the Dome”

“Thanks for all your suggestions.

I called the Chief Ranger's Office yesterday about the permits. He said I can get a permit for up to 8 people that time of year and that I will have to call 30 days in advance.

I am aware that the shelters may still be full even with a permit. What do the thru hikers do when the shelters are full? Tent?
last edited: 12/18/08 3:29:22 AM”

“90 miles in 7 days is an aggressive schedule?”

“It could be agressive depending on the amount of alcohol consumed and/or carried...

'32oz”

“I think if you are starting or ending 50 or more miles from the somkies you are considered a thru hiker. Since you will be starting 56.3 miles before you enter the smokies, you can register as a thru hiker, and tent if the shelters are full.”

“I think the rule is 50 miles before and after the Smokies to fall under the thru-hiker rule.”

“well aren't you guys "planning" on ending 50 miles after ;)”

“lol....yeah, I think we are "planning" on that!”

“I absolutely HATE when things don't go as planned...

No, really, truly, seriously, we were planning to hike 250 miles in 7 days.... The darkness and sleep deprivation got in our way..

'32oz”

“well you could plan to do it in 14 days but after 7 days you realized that your plan was a bit to ambitious and for health and safety reason you had to end your trip early”

“Yeah, you were planning to go to Allen Gap (50.5 miles from Davenport Gap) weren't you?”

“She could just head back south until she gets 50 miles outside the park.. it might be shorter..

'32oz”

“The 15 miles from Fontana to Russell Field could be the hard part if the weather does it usual thing that time of year.

Of course you could always bail down to Cades Cove and beg a ride to Gatlinburg. From there you will find someone to take you up to NFG.

All in all, the plan is doable, but if you are planning on staying in the shelter, get ready to sleep on the floor.”

“you said 'doable'

'32oz”

“Chili, by usual weather, do you mean snow, sleet and rain? We had some of that last year too, and the year before. I just dealt with it. But you make a good point. Anyone interested in going on this trip should be prepared for bad weather.

I don't suppose we will see any of the Smokies wildflowers this early in April, right?”

“Probably not at the elevations you will be.

I suspect they will be in full bloom down at White Oak sinks.”

“CD, yes. Late March and early April have been hit or miss up there. It is either really, really nice, or really, really, crappy. We usually get one bad storm about that time of year with rain, snow, sleet, high winds, etc.

Then again, a couple years ago it was about 70 on the AT in April.”

“Yup, that was the year I did Springer to Hiawasee. The week before we left, the weather was a beautiful 70 degrees. The day we left, it was 22 degrees at noon!”

“In East Tennessee, we have a saying...

"If you don't like the weather, just hang around another 5 minutes and it will change"”

“The descent into NOC sucks butt.

Just sayin' :)

And I can't remember the name of the shelter about 6 miles north of NOC...but beware of the Privy of Death there.
last edited: 12/18/08 10:01:14 AM”

“oh dear gawd...the privy of death. Thanks for the heads up!

Sassafras Gap Shelter?
last edited: 12/18/08 10:13:58 AM”

“Of course you could always bail down to Cades Cove and beg a ride to Gatlinburg. From there you will find someone to take you up to NFG.

What the hell? Why are they trying to get to me?”

“Nogranola.. You joining us in Tenn over new year's?

'32oz”

“No, I'm going to try to get out for a few days in PA. Going to Tennessee after driving to and from Buffalo would mean 4 solid days of driving.”

““90 miles in 7 days is an aggressive schedule?”

Aggressive depends on ones frame of reference. A 16 mile first day with a climb of Wine Spring Bald will be tiring for many people. Days #3 and 5 are a good distance with significant climbs. Its April in the SE.”