We hiked back and forth between TN and NC. Part of the trail is the TN and NC line. We could tell we were in a TN shelter because they don't have privies. You have to be careful where you walk and dig your hole!
In the Smoky Mts the shelters all used to have human "cages" to keep the bears out but some people are dumb. They aggravated and fed the bears through the "cage" links. So the shelters are all being updated by taking down the "cages" and extending the roofs to include a "cooking and eating" area in front. The updated ones are really nice. They've also included bear cables to hang our food bags.
We met a ranger on the trail and he told us that the bears are hungry and are going into the shelters to take packs and food bags. They're being more aggressive because they're not finding enough food. There were 2 shelters and a campsite that were closed due to aggressive bear activity at those places. One of the closed shelters was one that still had the "cage" and hikers woke to a bear trying to get through the roof in search of food/bags. The hikers fought it off with their hiking poles. We've been lucky in that we had not seen any bears-saw the scat but not the bears while we hiked through the Smokies!
The Smokies are a popular place for people to hike! We thought we'd have shelters to ourselves as everyone else would be back to school and work after the summer. But through the Smokies the shelters were very busy and one was full! Guess this is really a good time to hike and backpack. It's cooler and less busy! It's still been dark in the mornings till about 7:30 or 8:00 am.
We had a hiker friend that we met and hiked with in NH come to the Smokies (with another friend) and hiked with us for 2 days. They brought us lots of treats! We hiked to his truck and ate breakfast one day! Yum, yum! He liked to have campfires! Thru-thinker is the one in the blue shirt. He's actually one of the hikers that we gave our talk with at the NH huts! We had fun with him and his friend, Herb! Great guys! (Lucky is the one with the red/white/blue bandana hat.)
A peakcock-a resident of Icewater Springs Shelter in the Smokies! A surprise wildlife animal to say the least. She was not afraid of us and even tried to sneak food when one wasn't looking! Guess that's how she survives in the Smokies!
Some pictures from TN and NC.
One of the hostels that we stayed in TN-they had a wonderful huge breakfast! They also have farm animals and host a B&B. Very nice home and people!
Thanks again for all your prayers, support, donations to CHF and comments and emails! We're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!
