Journey Day 192 | AT Day 15

This high ridge trail led into the Smokies.

4/5/86

Hike up through the Smokies, pass Mr. Pate, tired in a huge pack. Rough hiking, across Spence Field, up Rocky Top with a live fox in the trail almost tame. We take a break on a grassy ridge with the Spartans ‘til James and Jack show up. Sunning was nice.

Tough four miles, almost dizzying, ends at Derrick Nob Shelter. Near exhaustion, eat and retreat to shelter. Mr. Pate’s snoring forces us out into the yard, where deer join us, foraging and begging. Crash under the stars. (I think this was the night Mr. Pate’s son hiked a 15 mile day, then went back and carried his dad’s pack another 10 to the shelter).