My son Collin has been on the Appalachian Trail now for 19 days, starting back on Friday, March 13th. He is in Gatlinburg, Tennessee tonight, 207.3 miles in, with 1981.9 miles to go until he completes the entire journey here in Maine

The last 3 days, he's been in the Great Smoky Mountains, and is now in his 3rd state, having walked from Georgia, through North Carolina and into Tennessee.

Collin at The Great Smoky Mountain Entrance Sign
Collin at The Great Smoky Mountain Entrance Sign
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Here's a picture of Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail with an elevation of 6655 feet

Clingman's Dome
Clingman's Dome
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The view in the Smoky Mountain is spectacular

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There are lots of bears in the Smoky Mountains. You have to stay in shelters unless they are full and then you're supposed to tent nearby.

Smoky Mountain Shelters
Smoky Mountain Shelters
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The Smoky Mountains have been tough on Collin. He fell into a pricker bush, and tore his jacket. Then he took the words Smoky Mountains a little too literally, as he was cooking in his tent, and a spark caught part of the nylon tent on fire! Luckily he wasn't hurt, and the only damage was to his tent, which has some holes in it. He's planning on buying a new one tomorrow in Gatlinburg, because while it's nice to have a skylight in his tent, it's not good to have holes in the tent with rain!

 

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