AT Journal Day 18

March 22nd - Day 18 - Best Western Gatlinburg to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
The day starts with a distinct and flavorful, six dudes in one hotel room, smell. I feel bad for the poor housekeeping staff that have to revive this room. The continental breakfast is more about quantity than quality, as i get older the less and less appealing this food is to me.

Mountain Mama and Godspeed told us yesterday that they would be headed back up to Newfound Gap and if we were at the NOC outpost at 9 they would be more than happy to give us a ride. Goal 1. It's a mile walk across a deserted Gatlinburg. a stark contrast to the drunken hustle and bustle of tourists last night. I alerted Dan to the ride offer and he too made the trek across town. As advertised the trail angels showed up and nine of us piled in and headed up the mountain.

Wrong Leg (in black,Center), Motor (red cap), Spaghetti, and Blink taking a rest on Charlies Bunion.

Three or so miles north on the trail a feature called Charlie's Bunion exists. Its pretty cool. We stop for lunch and a chill. The hike from here is very cool, It travels on the knife edge between Tennessee and North Carolina and the trees have turned to nearly all pine/evergreen. This is more of what I had envisioned the Smokey Mountains would be like. It will be about 15 miles total to the shelter tonight were we meet back up with Sunbear, Grease, Tree Frog, and Squirrel.