My wife and I just completed Smokies hike from Fontana to Davenport Gap (10/29 to 11/3). Temps were way above normal w/lows@28-30 and highs 60-70. It has been very dry there and continued so on our trip as we only encountered a brief shower during the night at Icewater Spring with the remainder of the trip being dry. No bear/boar sightings. Mouse ate through pack pocket at Icewater even though I left it open. Very few blowdowns, some thin ice/snow in places between Clingmans Dome and Tricorner. Actually the most hazardous part of the trip was going up the ice covered walkway tower ramp at Clingmans Dome. There were lots of senior citizens that came close to injuring themselves there. Water was flowing at every shelter we stayed at although vey slow at Collins/Double Spring Gap. We hitched a ride into Gatlinburg on day 4 for a pizza lunch and a small resupply at the “Happy Hiker” and then back on trail to Icewater by 2pm. Our pack weights(ULA P1’s) at the start w/7 days of food were 28/24lbs. Favorite gear used were our thermarest chairs, pot cozy, and down booties. Highlight of the trip were the views between Spence Field and Silers Bald (awesome).
TA