Here we go on a sunny autumn day.
Much of the AT goes through the "green tunnel" - rhododendrons that grow over the path.
Almost all of this hike was atop a ridgeline that climbed over Watauga Lake in Tennessee. That allowed for some nice views.
I just liked the way the leaves produced shadows on this tree trunk.
4.7 miles in, we stopped at this shelter for lunch and a welcome break. Photo by “Java”
After hiking 8.5 miles, we reached our destination for the night. I’m the hammocker on the left. The others prefer their tents. Photo by “Java”
By evening, it got cold. Real cold. Cold enough that, after dinner I wrapped myself in my down quilt, adding to the 3 (thin) layers of wool I already had on, plus my "puffy" down jacket. Overnight, it took quite a while for me to get all the settings on my hammock and tarp right, so I could actually doze some. Also made it, err, interesting to visit the "bathroom" (a nearby tree) in the middle of the night.
Oh, but we did manage to stay up later than usual (for backpackers) because it was a full moon for Halloween! These pics taken with a mere phone don't do it justice. It was orangey and really spooky as it rose past the trees. I will not confirm that we commemorated the event with a lusty group howl.
Overnight, it started raining, and the drizzle continued in the morning. It made for more spooky scenes like this. The sun didn't manage to come out of the clouds until midday.
Success! We completed 16 miles of backpacking, powered by our own muscles and will. Three of the gals - "Java" (third from right), "Bunny" (second from right) and "Rapids" (right) actually did an additional 13-mile hike (and stayed in a hostel) the day before me and "Razor" (left) joined them for the next two days. This is an amazing group and I'm proud to go on these trips with them. This trip also marked Bunny's completion of all the Appalachian Trail in Georgia (78.1 miles), North Carolina (96.4 miles) and Tennessee (65.9 miles) - 240.4 miles in total!
