Miles: 217.0 | A nervous ride back to the trail gives way to crowds, cameras, and the strange whiplash of hiking through one of the busiest sections of the AT so far. Once the tourists thin out, the Smokies deliver big views at Charlie’s Bunion, sore knees, questionable dinner choices, and an early night at Peck’s Corner. Somewhere around 4am, I discover a brand-new problem — my sleeping pad has turned me into a back-sleeping, full-volume snorer.
We left Gatlinburg around 11 via Lyft. The woman who drove us back up to Newfound Gap was so sweet! She even took our picture for us at the sign!
Once again, during the car ride back to the trail I started to get nervous. Even queasy a little. My anxiety was acting up again. I don't get it. I know I'll be fine and that I've done it before and that I like it. But for some reason I get the jitters every time I go back to the trail.
Anyway, after our photo, we headed toward the white blazes. It was cloudy, but a relatively nice day. The parking lot was packed. There were tourists everywhere. I had never been to any part of the AT that was so populated and high traffic before.
It was difficult to hike around all the tourists and they didn't know how trail etiquette worked so they didn't let us pass when we were behind them, they didn't move over when we were going uphill, they looked at us like we were crazy. Finally, after a few miles we passed most of them.
I had to pee really badly that entire 3 miles but the people were everywhere and we couldn't get away from them! We got to the first shelter in and I crept away to some rhododendrons to do my thing. Eventually, we got to Charlie's Bunion and had a great snack and view
I had a terrible cough this day. My knee really started to bother me, too. It was the outside of my knee. I couldn't imagine why it would be hurting. I dismissed it and rolled out my legs very hard that night.
We got to the shelter pretty early. It was on a big hill we realized there were only 3 tent sites and 4 of us had tents. Tang and I ended up sharing his 2 person tent on one of the only 'flat' spots.
We ate down at the shelter with Cinnabun, Peanut, Blade, Cackles, and Skywater. I also ran into Chandler and his dad, do you remember them from Day 2?! They've changed all of their gear and are now thriving. I had instant mashed potatoes for dinner that night with chicken from Tyson. It was disgusting. Never again.
After dinner we hung out by the tent and I rolled my muscles. We went to bed around 9pm. At about 4am I hear Tang whisper, "L. A.!" "Yeah?" I asked. I had apparently been sleeping and snoring quite loudly. I didn't even notice. I had been laying on my back. I NEVER sleep on my back at home! It must be this new sleeping pad... I apparently snore much more on my back than my side. Like father like daughter, am I right?!