Saturday, May 20, 2017 (Day 17)
The shelter I stayed at last night was full of early risers. This rubbed off on me, as well. I got started at 8 instead of 8:30 (still not that early, I know). It was incredibly foggy. We were high up in a mountain cloud.
Clingman’s Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail at 6,611 ft. was less than 3 miles away. The climb was not bad at all. Unfortunately, due to the fog, there was no view to be had. There was an interesting eerie sense to it, though. The tower itself looked like a futuristic spaceship.
After Clingman’s it was just 7 miles to Newfound Gap where I planned to hitch in to Gatlinburg, TN.
It did not take long before a sweet young couple from North Carolina swooped me up, took me to the grocery store, bought me lunch, took me to the gear shop, and dropped me right back off at the trail. It was positively amazing. I am so grateful for their kindness. I hiked jus another 3 miles to the shelter, where I rest on the lower plank.
Not so bad for a town day. Did not really miss a beat.