Unexpected Zero Day

After doing some longer miles, like two days in a row 18 miles we are pretty close to the Great Smokey Mountains. You have to get a permit to hike through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. I already got mine while staying in Franklin.

So the last night we got to a shelter 0.9 miles before the Nantahala Outdoor Center which meets right to the Appalachian Trail. Before the rain came in we setup our camp, because the shelter was already full of people. In the night it started raining. Than a storm kicked in. Oh that was pretty scary in the tent. You heard cracking trees all around. And then you realize that you’re right in between those cracking trees. The rain was coming sideways. I haven’t slept that much in that night. When I got up pretty much all of my gear was soaking wet. Even my sleeping bag.

The weather forecast said two more days of rain and also some thunderstorms. So, I got no choice. No way to continue the hike with wet gear and more rain. We booked a 4 person room at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Poncho, the guy I am hiking with and I shared the room with two nice girls from the US.

At the Nantahala Outdoor Center there is an Outdoor Center where you can buy some gear, a restaurant, a grocery store and a hostel. All the things a hiker needs ?

Let’s hope the weather will get better. Especially in the Great Smokey Mountains. Because there is snow up there today.