Great Smoky Mountains: Failed Hike and Later Return

The Great Smoky Mountains straddle Tennessee and North Carolina, with the Appalachian Trail running along a high ridge dividing the two states. This hike was intended as another Appalachian Trail section after the White Mountains. Pat dropped the hikers at a trailhead, and the route went straight up a mountain. After several hours of unrelenting ascent, Brian collapsed from exhaustion and said he could not continue. Essential items were taken from his pack, and Tony continued alone. Brian later reached a road and called Pat for rescue. Tony’s solo continuation also ended badly. Brambles overgrowing the trail scratched his legs, and by the next morning every footstep was agony from infection. The hike ended with an emergency pickup and treatment in Asheville. Years later, a return to the Smokies with Daniel and Amos made good the earlier failure: from the Tennessee side up to the Appalachian Trail ridge, down into North Carolina, back up to the AT, and down again to Tennessee.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Appalachian Trail, Tennessee and North Carolina, United States