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Snickers called today from Bryson City. He said that they had just gotten to the Nantahala River. Yesterday they had a run-in with the FBI. It seems they found part of the Eric Rudolph search team. Steve said that the guy wearing the leather jacket just didn't fit in with the mountains. Then today Steve and crew had climbed up a fire tower, and there were two helicopters doing low-altitude searches of the terrain. One of them did a fly-by while they were up there. Their next big destination is Fontana Dam.
- - Dan Howard
We met Snickers and his hiking buddies Nets, 4Runner, and Jeckyll today at Fontana Village and hiked about a mile of the AT with them and friend David.
We all stayed for the night at a cottage there and celebrated birthdays for Snickers and 4Runner.
We took a peek at the "Fontana Hilton" trail shelter, but we all opted to stay at the cottage instead (with heat and running water).
-- Joyce Howard (Steve's mom)
Dad, Steve and Mom
Snickers called today from Knoxville, TN. After four days of hiking in the snow and ice and wind through the Smokies, the group decided to catch a ride with fellow hiker David to Knoxville to warm up and dry out until the weather improves. They plan to be back on the trail at Newfound Gap on Sunday. They were happy to have passed the 200-mile mark.
Snickers called today from Knoxville, TN. After a few days of R&R the hikers are going back to the trail today.
-- Joyce Howard
Marcia, Phillip (our 17 year-old) and I are back from visiting with the mountain men in Knoxville. We were uncertain what the weather was going to do today, and how it would affect getting back on the trail. We got to the Sugarlands Nature Center/Visitor Center in the edge of the Great Smokies National Park just outside of Gatlinburg at around 11:30 AM. We were told the road to Newfound Gap was closed 4 miles from the AT unless you were driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle (we weren't) or had chains on your tires (we didn't). There was a possibility that the remainder of the closed road would be opened later in the day, so we drove back into Gatlinburg and ate breakfast/lunch.
When we returned to the park around 1:30 PM, our hikers decided to drive on up to the spot where the road was closed and hike that four miles on the road to the AT if necessary, then hike another 3 miles to Ice Water Springs shelter. When we arrived at the Alum Cave Bluff parking lot where the road had been closed, we discovered it had been opened, so we drove all the way to the top to Newfound Gap. The guys were glad to not have to hike that 4 miles on the road! So, around 2:30 PM, Snickers, 4Runner, Nets, Jeckyll and Optimist left the parking lot at Newfound Gap for Ice Water Springs.
Optimist is the trail name for Brad Glisson. He is a friend of our TN guys and an experienced hiker, having hiked the AT from Springer Mountain to Katahdin in 1997. He plans to hike to Hot Springs with them, get off the trail at that point and return to Nashville to school and work.
-- Ben Driskill (4Runner's dad)
Hiking in the snow!!!
photo by Al & Beth Worley (Jeckyll's parents)
Snickers called tonight from Mountain Mama's Country Store. They're out of the Smokies now and left the trail at Davenport Gap to hike a mile to the store and hostel for the night and a good hot meal. They didn't see any bears in the Smokies, but saw several foxes and plenty of mice in the shelters. He also said that his feet have grown from all this hiking and he's ordered some size 14 hiking boots!
-- Joyce Howard
Snickers called today from Hot Springs, NC. They picked up their mail and supplies today. They also said goodbye to Optimist and 4Runner. Optimist finished his spring break week on the trail and headed back to school. 4Runner has decided to return to civilization for now. ...And then there were three.
Snickers, Nets and Jeckyll continued their hike this week -- a little rainy, but nice warm weather compared to the past few weeks of ice and snow. This morning they called from a little diner near the trail where they were eating breakfast (a very large one without a doubt)! They plan to be in Erwin, TN tomorrow night.
They're in Erwin, TN today washing clothes and eating and sleeping at the local hostel. My brother and his family from Kingsport, TN will meet them this afternoon.
-- Joyce Howard
Beth, Chris, Robyn, and I drove to Erwin and met Steve and his hiking pals at Johnny's Hostel in Erwin. They were in good spirits after their shower and visit to an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet and they looked great. We had a pleasant conversation with Johnny who mentioned that he has had 36 thru-hikers this year, whereas last year only 6 had made it that far at the same time of year.
Snickers, Nets, Jeckyll, Third Degree Blackbeard, and the four of us piled in our van and went to eat at the Erwin KFC all-you-can-eat hot food bar. The food and conversation were excellent and we left for Kingsport with the strong impression that this group of young men are on track for a great life experience on the AT and afterwards. It was a pleasure to spend time with them and we hope to see them again in Damascus.
-- Mark Wilson (Snickers' uncle)
Nets, Ernest P. and Snickers at Cherry Gap Shelter (photo by Graybeard)
Snickers called today from Roan Mountain, TN. He, Nets and Jeckyll are staying with Jeckyll's parents in a cabin there and enjoying the wonderful food his mom has cooked for them.
Jeckyll's new trail name is now Ernest P. It just seems to fit him better they decided. Ernest P. wants to take the trial at a slower pace since he doesn't have to be back to school as soon in the fall. Nets and Snickers will forge ahead.
-- Joyce Howard
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