Day 27

Just a quick entry on this “forced zero” today. Fontana Village is nice. Pretty pricy eating breakfast, lunch and dinner in their restaurant though. Expect around $25-$32 per meal. Today was a zero because I had to stick around and wait for the post office here to open at 11:45am. I think I mentioned it but a strap on my ULA Circuit sheared right off and I just purchased it at Mountain Crossings in Neels Gap. Didn’t make it far. Peter at ULA Equipment was fantastic in shipping me a new pack and it even arrived here before I did. Unfortunately, this post office isn’t open on Saturdays or Sundays so here I am. I arrived yesterday and just got the pack and shipped back the broken one. Now all I need to do is repack the new pack, put some of my little accessories on it, slide my pack belt in and adjust everything. I’ll be ready to head into the Smokies tomorrow. I’m hoping to blow thru in 6 days (carrying a full food bag for it) but if needed, I’ll bail out at Newfound Gap if I can get a ride into Gatlinburg for a night before continuing. Prefer not to though. Hiking 6 days without a refresh will definitely be a new record for me and will push me some big miles on a couple of those days but I am ready for a challenge. I just need to get over my fear of not finding a place to sleep for the night. I hear the Smokies are already jammed packed since you MUST stay at the shelters (although thru-hikers can now tent for social distancing, just needs to be next to the shelter) so we’ll see. I love the Smokies. I used to go there (Cades Cove) every year a kid. I just don’t like all the strict rules. My $20 permit means I must be in and out in 8 days anyway so hopefully I can do 6 and be done with it.