UTMom81 wrote: »

Appalachian Trail Mission Slimpossibles Thru Hike Step Challenge

Wake up and Smell the Coffee!
Distance so far: 237 miles

Over the last hundred miles, we have made our way into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail runs along the ridgeline that separates North Carolina and Tennessee, so we literally walk in North Carolina for a while and Tennessee for a while, then back and forth over and over again. The Smokies offer us some of the best vistas in the southern half of the trail, and we cross the highest point on the entire AT when we climb up Clingman’s Dome (6643 ft above sea level) at the halfway point of the trail through the Smokies.





Even if you have heard of the University of Tennessee Volunteer’s fight song, Rocky Top, you might not know that the real Rocky Top is an actual place--the summit of one of the many peaks we will cross here in the Smokies--Thunderhead Mountain. It is aptly named for the rocky outcroppings along the peak, through which we do our stepping.



There is a pair of Timber Rattlers that hang out on Rocky Top; they love the warmth of the rocks on a sunny day, where at this elevation, it is always a bit chilly. They’re pretty used to people, but if you’re smart, you’ll leave them alone. You’re a LONG way from rescue if you make one mad enough to strike at you!



Since the Smokies receive over 10 million visitors each year and is a fragile habitat for so many protected creatures, hikers must stay in shelters while along the AT in the Park. We are not allowed to pitch our tents unless the shelters are full. This is part of the Leave No Trace wilderness code of ethics for trips in the Smokies. These 3-sided structures give some protection from the elements, but it can still get very cold up on this ridgeline even in the summer time.



Protected in the Park are some 65 species of mammals, over 200 varieties of birds, 67 native fish species, and more than 80 types of reptiles and amphibians. It is estimated that over 1500 black bears call the park home, and it is highly likely we will have seen one before we leave. They are such majestic creatures, you're heart will beat harder in your chest and you will find yourself holding your breath if you are lucky enough to encounter one. They are awesome!



The shelters do offer us a place to actually sit at a “table” and cook and eat our meals, and it's a nice change from always sitting on the ground or fallen logs. And yes, @19shmoo69, you CAN have coffee on an AT hike. You just have to be, shall we say, creative! Some options for brewing coffee on our backpacking trip include Starbucks instant coffee, filtering the old-fashioned way, and even some pretty cool French Press gadgets made specifically for backpacking stoves. Going without coffee for many hikers, though, is unconscionable, myself included. So come on over and let's share some brew!



Many AT hikers get off the trail in the middle of the Smokies to take a day or two break in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Since there is only one road which crosses the AT in GSMNP, most hikers take advantage of that road and go to Gatlinburg to resupply, purchasing food, doing laundry, sleeping in a real bed, etc. while in town. Many hitchhike down even if they don’t spend the night there. Much like Helen, GA, this tourist town provides a sensory overload for hikers, but offers lots of things to do if you need a break from putting one foot in front of the other, or if your poor old joints are just tired. If you venture down the road to Pigeon Forge, you might even get a glimpse of Dolly Parton, this area’s favorite hometown girl and famous country music icon. The one thing Tennesseans agree on, even in this time of political arguing wherever you go, is that they will fight you if you say anything bad about our Dolly!



Exercise Challenge: Mountain Climbers
Since we have climbed some of the highest mountains on the AT during this part of our trip, let’s add some mountain climbers to our exercise routine. These can be done just a few at a time any time of day. I've already done some this morning! If you’ve never done this exercise before, here’s a video or two to help us learn to do them correctly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBZHkGT0W5Y

They can also be done on a step, which may be a little easier for us beginners. I just use the bottom step on the stairs that go to the second story of my home:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o3PvdKoEgM

19shmoo69 wrote: »

19shmoo69
Week-1
Weigh in day-to-day Saturday
Previous weight 249
Current weight- 243

angielove88 wrote: »

@UTMom81 omg. Mountain climbers are the death of me...and maybe some other ones at the moment. They've gotten a bit easier to to as I've lost a few pounds.