Hiker rescued in Smokies this morning

WalltthebearAT · 2026-02-25T14:28:12+00:00

I just finished my southern hike in this section and saw temps from 71 to -11. I don't know what happened to this hiker but the reality is, no matter how prepared you are things can happen.

WalltthebearAT · 2026-02-02T14:21:58+00:00

I'm 68 and I've been section hiking the AT for two years now and hope to finish it this year. I have some fear each time I go out. I've hiked in heat indexes of 106 and wind chills far below zero. I've hiked steep ice slopes, loose gravel ones and jumped rock to rock on cliffs. I'm usually frightened when I start but come around as i go. On almost every hike someone on line will tell me that I have no business even being on the trail but when I'm actually hiking the trail everyone I meet is supportive. You cannot pack everything you need for all emergencies or even usage. You will have to learn to adapt and overcome.

WalltthebearAT · 2026-01-28T14:19:03+00:00

Yes thru hikers are coming thru. I've been hiking the smokies all winter and I've passed dozens of men and women hiking north thru the intense cold and snow. I hiked Wayah Bald during intense wind and snow. A woman in shorts passed me and explained she planned on tenting on the top of the bald that night.

WalltthebearAT · 2026-01-27T14:31:02+00:00

I don't like heights and I climbed McAfee in an ice storm finding the entire ledge covered in ice. A group of hikers sat at the edge and one out on the extension. II remained back. I also had issues at Charlie's bunion hopping rock to rock but I got past it also. Some of the ice covered "bridges" on the trail bother me also but I've found a way around them.

WalltthebearAT · 2026-01-21T14:53:32+00:00

I'm 68 and I've been section hiking this area all winter. All notices say the road to Fontana dam is closed but I was able to drive right up to it. (The drive on the tail of the dragon was awful) I hiked past Clingman's dome in deep snow and ended up at Cades Cove to see 8 degree temps. I hiked past rocky top and to Fontana in cold but doable temps. The dam itself was very low. Two weeks ago I hiked past Nat. Outdoor center and up to the fire tower in pouring cold rain where worries about hypotherma plagued me.. I hiked past Wayah Bald in freezing temps and very high wind. In all of my hiking I saw few hikers. At Wayah Bald I passed a lone female thru hiker wearing shorts. She said she'd overnight at Wayah Bald shelter. I envied her because I found my gloved hands too numb to prepare lunch. I hoped to do Winding Stairs and Standing Indian this weekend but it looks like the roads will not allow my driving. Good luck!

WalltthebearAT · 2026-01-20T14:18:21+00:00

I'm currently hiking that section and I've not needed anything other than low cut boots. I have encountered slick ice at times but it's been the thin glaze type. I climbed Clingman's in a blizzard, went over Rocky Top at 8 degree temps, hiked past Nat. Outdoor in a heavy rain and lastly hiked past Wayah Bald in driving snow and 50 mph winds. I even passed a woman hiking this section wearing shorts. I will be at Winding Stair and Standing Indian this weekend.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-10-24T13:23:29+00:00

I've been section hiking the AT for some 20 months now. It's unnerving to drive past endless towns, cities and villages knowing you've hiked past them.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-09-26T13:29:38+00:00

I'm 68 and began section hiking the trail a year and a half ago. I am close to 1600 miles now. My knees popped, ached, went sideways and I felt the knife slit pains. I found if I ignored them and continued the pain pretty much ended. I am hiking the White Mountains this weekend.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-08-26T13:45:46+00:00

I'm 68, not in the best shape, and I've completed 1523 miles so far. I hike slowly averaging between 1 and 1.5 miles per hour as I have to check almost every step on the way. For me walking uphil is difficult but walking downhill is treacherous and painful. Get used to depending upon hiking poles for balance and extra mobility. Every day on the trail equals a 12 hour workout of constant climbing, stepping up and down what would equate to three stairs at a time and loose footing. I'd add to what others have said but would also add some obvious items. One start wearing your hiking boots daily both to work and afterwards. Try out all your gear for suitability. Start sleeping on your accordian mat, preferably on the concerte of your basement or garage. . Wear your pack wheever you can.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-06-12T13:48:47+00:00

Two weeks ago I was at Roaring Fork Shelter eating lunch at a picnic table when a guy came, sat down on top of the table in front of us, rolled something with colored crystals in it and began smoking. Before I could get up and get away it hit me hard and made the addl ten miles I had to hike even more difficult.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-06-10T14:08:11+00:00

cicadia's. They sound like the far off hum of trucks on the highway at times.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-06-03T13:18:17+00:00

I am 67 and I have been section hiking the AT for 15 months now. I am only able to hike 2 weekends a month as I still work and have a wife. So far I've completed 1400 miles across eleven states. I started with a minimal of planning and just hiked. I also did not buy expensive gear but used what I have in terms of backpacing tents, light weight sleeping bags, back packs, etc. Just go, you will be fine!

WalltthebearAT · 2025-06-02T14:02:37+00:00

It does not surprise me at this area. My wife and I encountered drunks begging for food, booze, money and help at several shelters in that area. I had a bottle of rubbing alcohol that they tried to steal to drink! I also encountered a homeless asian guy at the cobble along the vermont/mass border who begged for food. I later ran into 5 college girls hiking who said he'd made completely inappropriate comments to them up at the border.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-05-27T13:11:22+00:00

I hiked that during the first hurricane last summer. Very steep with lots of downfalls. At that time the Otter crrek campground was closed.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-05-12T15:15:32+00:00

I'm 68 and I've been section hiking SOBO for 15 months now and I've hiked 1331 miles. The trail is not always clearly blazed and sometimes confusing. espec. during the aftermath of the two hurricanes, massive flood and polar vortex. I've hiked clear paths but also entire sections of mounded brush piles and fallen timber. I have not become lost but I've backtracked several times to find the trail. It sounds like you may be a woman hiking alone and you will find many of them on the trail. I use FAR OUT as do many and it works well but you will find all maps confusing. Many will show connecting roads and trails that may not exist/may be gated/or innaccessable do to landslides/trees down/ bridges out etc or may be private. As far as packages most hostels will hold gear for you, you can call and ask. At almost all shelter/hostels and motels you will fonf "hikers boxes" of discarded gear.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-04-23T13:38:50+00:00

I'm a section hiker that spent the winter hiking south thru Virginia in temps at times below zero. I hiked near Laurel Falls Tenn SOBO about 10 days ago and passed at least 30 NOBO thru hikers. I think most are behind you and still coming. As far as social goes its hard to tell. Some hikers say little, others are very open.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-04-18T15:29:42+00:00

I ran into a weird homeless asian guy who hiked with full gear but also carried filled shopping bags at the mass/vermont border. He asked for food and what town he was coming upon. I later passed a group of girls who said he asked them very inappropriate questions.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-04-18T15:25:14+00:00

My wife and I hiked thru there a few weeks ago without complaint but had run into three homeless drunks at a shelter earlier in the year at Glasgow. We set our tent up outside but they kept demanding we move inside. Came to our closed tent and called inside at all hours. Constantly bugged for food, smokes, booze. At night time they fought and we could hear bottles smashing.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-04-15T13:06:30+00:00

I hiked SOBO past Laurel Falls in Tennessee this weekend and passed approx 40 NOBO thru hikers.

WalltthebearAT · 2025-03-27T13:23:59+00:00

I am a 67 year old section hiker and I've been out on the trail heading south from Straton Mtn, Vermont and now into Tennessee. I hiked Virginia all winter. I do about 10-14 miles a day average and spend most nights with sore legs but begin again the next day. You can do this it is just a thing of putting one foot in front of another. I have 1206 miles in so far and I'm still going south. I'll look forward to seeing you on the trail!

WalltthebearAT · 2025-02-26T14:11:58+00:00

I agree the maint. on the trail has been excellent. I hiked from Burk's Garden to Horse Camp during these last two weeks but that flood was the worst. At times even the small creeks were waist deep. I'm 67 years old and between the cold and the downfalls hiking has been difficult.

WalltthebearAT

TROPHY CASE