AT SNP central/south, 5/15: here come the thru-hikers!

A final leg stretcher before a 2-week backpack on the AT in NC/GA. An "easy" route on the AT from Bootens Gap in the southern central district of SNP south to Smith Roach Gap in the northern south district. With a family event in Richmond that evening, a 5am departure was required. Just myself and Steve on this hike. After a shuttle, we were on the trail a little before 8am. We'd meet three waves of NOBO thru-hikers on this hike- morning, those leaving Bearfence Hut; noon, those having left Hightop Hut; and afternoon, those having left Pinefield Hut. Don't recall what the count was, but the leading wave of NOBO thru-hikers is reaching SNP and will peak over the next few weeks. It's always a delight meeting them. We'll often design a hike to have a southbound AT stretch to maximize encounters.

We had fresh legs for the Bearfence rock scramble. It had eluded us the past two times here, so I've been wanting to return here for a while now. It's easier with fresh legs. Bearfence is fun and provides excellent views. Get there early or get there late to avoid the crowds. I'd considered being here at some future time for a sunrise, but Bluff Mountain hides the horizon, so sunset is probably a better choice.

There were two climbs to deal with before the drop down to Swift Run Gap- Baldface and Saddleback. A young (one year old perhaps) black bear crossed the trail ahead of us a bit north of Pocosin Cabin. Baldface offers a decent viewpoint west from a rock outcropping. Our longer break came at South River Picnic Area. It was here that I met thru-hiker "Willard" (named after the "Apocalypse Now" character). We talked trail for a good bit, and I showed him the AT profile from the central district map. He'd seen one bear in SNP already. He was planning to get to Big Meadows in time for a blackberry shake and was enjoying SNP so far. He felt the main pulse was about a week behind him. This was his two month "trailiversary".

Hightop is the southbound climb out of Swift Run Gap. A fairly steady climb. The day was a bit warmer than hoped, so it was a bit more work than expected. The reward is an excellent view west from the top, with views of Hanse, Beldor Ridge, Rocky Mount, and many other peaks in the south district. Trayfoot could be seen towering over all in the distance. Pressed for time, we didn't stop in at the shelter. Done by 3:30pm, 16.5 miles with 2900' climbing in a little over 7.5 hours. I was surprisingly exhausted from an otherwise "simple" hike.

Ready or not, here comes the backpack! 15 days on the AT, as two backpacks (and no true "zero" days) to get from Fontana Dam to Springer (Amicalola Falls State Park actually). Our most ambitious undertaking to date. This will be as close to the thru-hiker experience as I'll likely ever get- rain, food drops, rain, hostels, rain, shelters, rain, tenting. Nervous, apprehensive, and excited all at the same time.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/2dS2hJyibJBTm55d9