A 13.5 day. Troy and I hiked into my Collins shelter which included going up and over Clingmans dome 6685 ft. The day was pretty overcast so I didn't make the side trip to go up the great concrete towers up there. I did get close enought to hear the people who drove up grouse about how loisey the view was. It was a uphill and the. A down hill day. I had thought there must be at least a soda machine up there and I had spent the last couple days psyching myself up for an orange crush. Troy said there was nothing up there. Maybe a drinking fountain in the parking lot but that makes the diversion closer to a mile. I just keep moving. I did notice on the way up and closer to the top the mountain ash and their red berries were out in force. Also I noticed for the first time the smell of spruce. Everything is dark and covered with moss. Damp. Did I say damp? On the north side of clingman I also noticed beech it's falling. I have yet to see a familiar birch. Although there are some very dark trees that have leaves and bark that might be a birch.
I have this debate going on. Especially after seeing the focus (tunnel vision?) of those first few SOBO. You have to hike your own hike. Do I focus on getting to Damascus, or 500 miles? Or do I take what I can get and enjoy? In the morning and on the flats, I'm going for 500-- around 4 pm I'm here for the trip, just the trip. And to the person, everyone I have spoken to, seems to think being able to go until your wife comes and gets you is a very cool way to go.
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I have this debate going on. Especially after seeing the focus (tunnel vision?) of those first few SOBO. You have to hike your own hike. Do I focus on getting to Damascus, or 500 miles? Or do I take what I can get and enjoy? In the morning and on the flats, I'm going for 500-- around 4 pm I'm here for the trip, just the trip. And to the person, everyone I have spoken to, seems to think being able to go until your wife comes and gets you is a very cool way to go.
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