PapaGarrettP
01-05-2013, 10:40
Hello Fellow Hikers!
I am planning a spring hike of the BM Trail though the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Up until now, my son, best friend and I have section-hiked from Amicalola Falls State Park to Fontana Dam. We have been doing all of our hikes SOBO, so as to end at the truck and drive back to Florida.
I have purchased and am studying Sgt. Rock's Thru-Hikers' Guide.
My idea is to drive up to Fontana Dam (1 day) and get a ride to Davenport Gap in March of 2013. Then spend 7 days hiking south to the truck. With a one day drive home, I am budgeting 9 days (taking a week off from work). I may take an extra day off to use as a buffer and would also pre-position 1/2 our food in a cache.
My questions:
1. Is time frame realistic (in previous section hikes we have averaged 12-13 miles per day, but have gone longer distances with each hike). We are in good shape and our packs have gotten lighter and are now about 36 lbs. (without water).
2. Am I going to have a hard time with reservations in mid-March?
3. Are there any resources I should look at (websites, etc.) that I may not have seen?
4. Anyone else contemplating this route in the Spring of 2013?
Thanks!
PapaG
I am planning a spring hike of the BM Trail though the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Up until now, my son, best friend and I have section-hiked from Amicalola Falls State Park to Fontana Dam. We have been doing all of our hikes SOBO, so as to end at the truck and drive back to Florida.
I have purchased and am studying Sgt. Rock's Thru-Hikers' Guide.
My idea is to drive up to Fontana Dam (1 day) and get a ride to Davenport Gap in March of 2013. Then spend 7 days hiking south to the truck. With a one day drive home, I am budgeting 9 days (taking a week off from work). I may take an extra day off to use as a buffer and would also pre-position 1/2 our food in a cache.
My questions:
1. Is time frame realistic (in previous section hikes we have averaged 12-13 miles per day, but have gone longer distances with each hike). We are in good shape and our packs have gotten lighter and are now about 36 lbs. (without water).
2. Am I going to have a hard time with reservations in mid-March?
3. Are there any resources I should look at (websites, etc.) that I may not have seen?
4. Anyone else contemplating this route in the Spring of 2013?
Thanks!
PapaG