Day 14: April 11, 2022
AT mile 156.0 to 172.3
Hiked: 16.4 miles / 26.4 km
AT miles hiked to date: 7.9%

We had only about 8 miles from our camp-site to Fontana Lake where we had a box of food to collect from the post office so we decided that, if we made good time, we could collect our food and move on along the trail a bit more rather than stop in town for the night. The sky was clear and we made good time on the trail. After about 4 miles we were tempted with a view of the lake but, rather than taking us down, the trail continued to undulate between hilltops, occasionally teasing us with Lake views which seemed to never get closer!

We did finally arrive at the marina just in time to catch the shuttle to the post office and collect our parcel. The challenge with this plan was that the post office only opens from 1145 to 1545 M-F. As our plans have changed a little since we posted the box, we have a few more meals than we need before we next hit a resupply point which means our packs are full and heavy.

Leaving the Lake Fontana marina, we hiked around a bit of the shoreline then crossed over the actual dam.

On we progressed to enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We had previously obtained permits and printed copies to carry with us. Part of the permit is detached and posted into a box as we enter the park.

And so began a long climb up the mountainside and after another 8 miles we reached the camp-site, where all the designated tent sites were already taken. Our spot is not very level so we may be in for a broken night.