We are home, warm and dry! The first winter backpack of 2005 has come to a successful conclusion. Saturday was relatively warm with temperatures around 50 F. We left Knoxville under sunny skies and arrived at the trail head under very dark skies and threat of rain. John had been trying to get me to alter the hiking plans for several weeks so we would hike in and out at the same trailhead. The forecast for Sunday was 3-5" of snow (this did not materialize) and he was concerned about the roads. The group decided out and back was a good decision so, after dropping Priscilla's car at Bote Mtn. tailhead (she was day hiking), we left our cars at Tremont.

Didn't take too long to get to camp. We hiked up for about 2-miles and down for about .7-miles; light rain fell off and on for most of the hike. We arrived in camp, set up our tents in a moderate rain shower and waited under the tarps for the next dry period. When the rain slowed, everyone dashed out to gather firewood. The site was picked pretty clean so we had to expand our area of search. Finally around three o'clock, with a good stack of wet wood, we encouraged Priscilla to start back to her car so she wouldn't get caught in the early mountain darkness. Most of us wanted to hike a bit more so we grabbed our headlamps, just in case, and walked the 2.5-mile roundtrip to be sure she was safe getting to her car. It rained steadily on our return hike to the campsite.

Soon the wind started, the temperature dropped and the rain turned to snow. We spent a pretty cold night at low levels in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The group is experienced at cold weather backpacking and aside from some feet stamping in the morning to warm up cold toes and very chapped cheeks (face) we survived quite well.


Under the tarp, in the rain. From left (in green jacket) Bill, Steve (hat-man), Barbara and John.

From left, Terri, Jim and Priscilla in the red hat. Priscilla day hiked with us. Since our hike to the campsite was short (2.7-miles), we all hiked Priscilla back to her car. She went home to a hot shower while we returned to camp. The green tarp certainly reflects a dioxin looking pallor to the skin.

Protected from the rain by tarps, the group shared lots of conversation about hiking. Is there anything else to talk about on a backpack?

And then night fell, the temperature dropped and it started snowing! Our tent in the snow storm.

Not too much snow on the ground but an oh so cold temperature. Steve's thermometer read 15 F. Everyone was barely recognizable in hats, down jackets and gloves. In front (light blue) Marti, left-Jim, right-Terri.

John opening the fuel bottle, can breakfast be far behind?

Duane, toasty warm in his down jacket enjoying a hot breakfast drink.

Barbara with double hats, fleece jacket and a "don't take my picture" face. Our tent is in the background.

Lastly, me in my homeless hat and very puffy down Michelin man jacket. It "ain't" pretty but I am very warm. Besides, there isn't much glamour at 15 F, sitting on the ground, under a tarp watching John heat water.