Hiked 25 Miles of the Appalachian Trail! (Pics)

[shaintiques]

Me and my buddy Jeff, hiked 25 miles of the AT last weekend. We started in Cade's Cove and hiked up to Spence Field, over Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mountain, then to Derrick's Knob and eventually back down the mountain to Elkmont. I have to say that this was the most grueling experience of my life and yet very rewarding. We knew it would be cold, doing a winter hike, but it snowed about 4 inches the day before we started so the whole hike was up through snow, our last night it snowed over a foot and we had 60mph winds, the final day dawned with less wind, but snow and sleet. We waded through knee deep snow for 8 miles. To be honest I didn't think I was going to make it, I was so exhausted, but we encouraged each other and made it down. I did get to enjoy some spectacular views despite conditions and enjoy some good company with my bro and some good smokes too. Here are some pics.
Me the first day after a 5 mile climb up to the AT.

This is on Rocky Top with my pipe and the knife that Bradley (tbradsim1) gave me.

Other views from RT

Enjoying a bowl on Thunderhead Mountain

Me (left) Jeff (right) enjoying a well deserved smoke, up to this point we have hiked about 10 miles

Us on the last day after 25. We hiked 12 miles the last day, 8 through snow and ice.

 

[dervis]

Hell yes awesome trip man. Thanks for the pics!

 

[Perique]

I love the AT. Looks like y'all had a blast.

 

[05venturer]

Congrats to you and your friend! Thanx for the pics, the AT has intrigued me since we rode motorcycle thru the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

[gray4lines]

Thats vey cool! The AT is beautiful, and long!
I hiked just a couple miles with a buddy and his dad one day, making sure the trail was clear. Ever read the Bill Bryson book on it? (Dont remember the name, but fun read)

 

[tbradsim1]

Glad you took the Sog with you, mine treated me well in the jungle, looks like a once in a lifetime trek, great pictures, Be Safe. The old cajun

 

[ssjones]

That was quite an adventure, particularly given the extreme weather conditions. You'll be telling that tale for decades to come, when someone says "man, it's cold outside". You'll reply: "Cold? I'll tell you about Cold..."

 

[batdemon]

Thanks for the awesome pics, Dave and congratulations on a great adventure!

 

[puffy]

Great Pictures..It looks cold.

 

[loneredtree]

Nice trip sounds like a slog the last day. Great pictures! Did you use shelters on tent, what state are you in and why are there trees only on the ridge tops?

 

[hfearly]

Awesome trek! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[shaintiques]

We used shelters, we hiked the TN-NC border, and there are trees all over, it just looks like they are only on the ridge because it is winter and many of the trees are bare, but the forest is very thick all the way up the mountain. Here are some other pics.

 

[ejames]

Looks like you had a great time Dave! I think you're nuts though! It's cold out there!! Snow!!

 

[zyrcon]

Wow, awesome trip! There's nothing better than getting away with a good buddy, a couple of pipes and wandering the AT in WNC.

 

[brian64]

Wow...quite the adventure...and a real endurance test doing that this time of year. Would have been too damn cold for me. Glad you both made it ok. Great pics!

 

[cynyr]

Beautiful pics! We love Cades Cove and go up about twice a year. Haven't gone on the Trail, tho. Glad you had a good adventure!

 

[05venturer]

I hiked just a couple miles with a buddy and his dad one day, making sure the trail was clear. Ever read the Bill Bryson book on it? (Dont remember the name, but fun read)

The Book is "A Walk in the Woods" great read, i just read it a few months back

 

[flmason]

I am glad you and your friend enjoyed your hiking trip. It must be special to observe nature up close and personal.

 

[numbersix]

Those are great pics. Got to give you credit doing that in winter! Thanks for sharing.

 

[extrasample]

Brave souls! Great pics thanks for sharing your adventure!