Wesser2Fontana

“Howdy y'all. I am thinking the next walk I do might be the section of the AT from Wesser to Fontana. Looks like about 30 miles, with a natural overnight break at Brown Fork Gap Shelter.

Could possibly backtrack 0.8 to spend my 'drive-in' night at Rufus Morgan Shelter. Obviously park at car at US 19, and another at the Fontana Visitor's center.

Not sure on the time frame yet -- but don't think I can wait till fall to go.. might have to give in and do a late June or early July hike. Thought I might ask who's done this trip -- for any advice or 'watchouts' ??.

Appreciate anything you might offer.”

“Hey TD, I did that section in two days and have a write up in my AT Journal. The first day will be difficult, but the second day is a nice hike. I really enjoyed that section of the AT. :)

www.geocities.com/mdshiker2001/atsec6.htm”

“Yeah, I know I'm a computer programmer and I should post links but I'm lazy.

Blah!! hehehe”

“The Hike Inn
Jeff and Nancy Hoch
(828)479-3677

If you only want to take one car, then park at Fontana Dam and get the folks at the "Hike Inn" to shuttle you to Wesser. That way, you can spend the first night at the Fontana Hilton Shelter which is a LOT nicer than Rufus Morgan. ;)”

“Thanks!!.. :).. Appreciate all the help.”

“Cheoha Bald is a nice mountain to go up!!

I'll keep an eye on this trip. I still need to knock out the piece between Stecoah Gap and Fontana.”

“WD: wlel not sure when.. I will try to plan it tho.. I been talking to a friend of mine in GA.. (John Cook -- if you remember him).. we are picking a weekend we can both go first.

But I will post the trip public as soon as we pick a weekend.”

“cool”

“It's Set!!.. We ARE going. Y'all are all welcome. Trip is posted on Trips page.

John Cook (you might remember him from 'TC2', or Porters Creek Manway, or Standing Indian trips! One helluva guy!) called me on my cell phone a few minutes ago.

Johnny C and I will get the shuttle car up to Fontana sometime early Friday, and we will meet anyone coming that evening at the NOC bunkhouse. Johnny C is bringing his Ford Expedition, so we wil be shuttling back in STYLE. :)

Johnny is reserving six places at the NOC bunkhouse. Johnny C and I will go ahead and pay the fees up front, y'all can pay us back once you get there. Show up anytime Friday (6/27) night.

We will eat breakfast about 8am, hike starts no LATER than 9am Saturday morning. Itinerary being discussed -- but planning on getting our pack weights down to 20-25 pounds and knocking it out in TWO days. (I am taking Monday off work tho, just in case).

Partying commences when the last person arrives, BYOB.. (lol.. whatever.)

Saturday morning get your drunk butts out of bed, and commence hauling our lazy behinds up that god-forsaken Cheoah Bald. Hope to see you all there..

Space is LIMITED to the first six who sign up. (unless you want to sleep outside.. lol)..

If you want to show up Saturday morning, that's fine, just make sure Johnny C or I know.”

“Hey Chris you might want to add some info to the invite if you can edit the post. Oh, and I might add that the invite looks pretty cool. I talked with the folks at the NOC; they have lots of room at the Bunkhouse, (now they are calling it "Base Camp") for Friday 27 June. Because they have more than adequate space for many, I only made reservations for four people. Let everyone know that there’s plenty of room and all they have to do is call and make reservations. # 800-232-7238. Cost went up a little; it’s now $15 still not to bad though. Check in is after 1500 and they are open until 2100.”

“I'm gonna talk to my boss tonight. Hopefully I can get 3 days off for this trip.”

“kewl.. hope u can go currahee.. I got a couple emails.. saying they were maybes.. so it is starting to shape up.”

“My boss is taking a 4 day weekend now, so I do have a bit of leverage. He's also into BPing, so it should work out.”

“Good deal!

Johnny called me tonight. The two of us, prolly you, plus Skidder looks like a strong maybe.

We will see where it leads.”

“Chris I wish I could do this one but it's too close to my Sierra trip and I'm still geting ready.

Y'all have fun.
As if there was ever any doubt of that!”

“Now I am an 80% go. When are you going over there? I may be interested in carpooling.
As it stands I'm gonna try to work that Thursday AM so I can finish sorting my gear and head out Friday AM or Thursday PM. And my jeep is a P.O.S. for long distances. I may be able to talk the BOSS out of her car though.”

“Not sure when I can get away.. but obviously sometime Friday. Trying to get into that area is best the earlier ya start out, you know?

I'll give ya my cell number, and we can plan on carpooling if you want.

CGHiker called me this morning -- another maybe. :)”

“TD, I'm definatly in. Shoot me your cell# to briangiej@comcast.net. I will want to carpool. I'm off for 4 days starting Thursday P.M.”