Thoughts on AT GSMNP in Dec

“I have 9 days off from Christmas thru New Years, and am planning on doing an AT Thru-Hike of the Smokys from North to South over 5 days.
I'm pretty sure the area will be deserted, but will be grabbing a permit outside the park to list myself as a Thru.

I know as well as you guys about the weather, but I'd like to hear a few of you guys sound off.

Anyone wanna go?”

“hmm just thought about the shorter days also. *think, think*”

“You'd be dead wrong about the area being deserted. If you're doing 5 days, you'd better be in shape, it's a little aggressive. Don't bother with snowshoes, but I'd surely take some cramps, altho very, very likely you'll never need them. It's just that if you were to need them, then you'd REALLY need them, with the fronts that may or may not come thru. Heck if you've 9 days, add another or 2 to the five. Back in .... the mid-nineties I did that trip about 4 Christmases (now, I was not there right on Christmas day), but sometimes I'd do all 69 miles, and sometimes I'd do half, beginning or ending at Newfound Gap/441. The northern half of the Smokies AT are more remote, there you'd see less ppl. But the southern part, with it's balds and easier gradients, deserted it ain't. Don't screw around with the Rangers, get that permit, have it handy, and tell them you're a section-hiker. If you tell them you're a thru, then they may want to chat awhile, and you'll have to bawlsheet an entire thru-hike, hehe. If the shelters are full (in the southern half) of damn Yankees or Floridiots, don't worry about pitching your tent, even tho the signs say not to even thank about it. Just don't be a retard with your food, act like you know what you're doing, and the Rangers won't mind much, after all, you're a LD section hiker, you OUGHT to know what the heck you're doing.”

“Friggin-A! I have tried and tried to update my dang email. So this eve, or tom, I'll e you opie. If you're at a shelter we can reach, we may visit you for a night.

Oh, something minor, twas a crappy year for acorns, particularly higher up. Same for berries. So expect bears to be extremely sniffy this year. Just because it's xmas don't mean the bears are down for the count yet.”

“I always hang, and practice safe food habits. I think I should be able to swing permits, I'm just hoping I don't get frozen out, and can handle 5 days of 15-20 mile days. I'll be hiking to my truck, so I have some leeway on if I'm faster or slower than I think.

You see the trip that some of these Yahoo's here did it in 4. Hell, that ranger just did it in 14 hours. lol”

“Frozen out...exactly what I was thinking. Did 19E to Erwin at the same time one year. Next day after Overmountain, rain to freezing rain to 12" snow with single digit temps in about 36 hours.”

“Another consideration is, if you get frozen out and need to bail early for some reason, the road could be closed due to snow and ice and you would have trouble getting a ride. Happened to us a couple of years ago, but this was in the spring.

Sounds like a great trip though. Have a great time.”

“yea, your right, my bail-out point(NFG) could be FUBAR'd.

I'm planning on doing Rainbow Falls - Leconte - Trillium in Jan/Feb, but I dunno about a full week of freezing temps and crazy miles. But then again it could be 50-60F the whole time also.

Also full cold weather gear will up my pack weight seriously. (crampons, gaiters, 10F bag, down jacket, more food, more fuel, full leather boots) hmmmmm”

“No you're not likely to see 50-60F at LeConte in Jan/Feb. And for sure don't park at NFG, as that could easily close at any time. As weather systems come thru, you're not going to be able to know what to expect. You can know last minute tho, so you could tweak your plans a little depending on what's about to arrive, weather-wise.”

“I think i'm going to bump this to Thanksgiving, and goto my parents in South Alabama between Christmas/New years. And you don't hit leconte on an AT Thru of the GSMNP. Not saying Icewater and Charlies Bunion ain't close!”

“True that opie, the Lodge ain't on the AT. I've now forgotten how distant they are, was it 5 miles or so? I'll have to look.”

“probably good idea to change to a different month. I could see the precipitation being an issue in the smokies, for hiking. in other flatter areas of the midwest its not as big a problem for winter hiking”