TN: 11-26May2005 /Days12-27

Edited Aug2025 – attaching Chapter 3 Pages 17-26.

AT mileage:  293mi/472km
Days to hike:   16 days

Elevation ranging from 1,326′ – 6,625′/404 – 2,019m
Difficulty rating: 5 – 6 (scale of 1 – 10)
National Park – Great Smokey Mountains
National Forests – Cherokee & Pisgah
Clingmans Dome – highest point on the AT 6,643’/2,025m (where pollution and some European insect damaged much of the green firs)
Beautiful rhododendron tunnels
High ridges & balds – exposed
Panoramic views
First trail town – Hot Springs

The brain has muscles for thinking as the legs have muscles for walking – Offroy de La Mettire