Day 17, 3/23

Nice night in the Hilton, despite one loud snorer. Dragged all morning with low energy, everyone was passing me. Started out cold, cloudy. Hiked into the clouds and then the sun burned thru right in time for Shuckstack Mtn. I only climbed up one tier of the wooden stairs of the tall narrow tower, but the views were excellent. Climbed more than 3000 ft today. Almost stayed at Mollies Ridge, but it was such a GORGEOUS day I decided to move on. Had a snack and got a nice surge of energy to cruise (singing and whistling Colonel Bogey Bridge over River Kwai) to Russell Field Shelter, 13.8 miles. The shelter is stone, with a chain link fence on the front. Photos of : Fontana Lake, AT sign (green is common in NC), Fontana Dam, Below the dam, me entering the Smokies, Fontana Lake, Hollywood disappearing into the mist, Smokies, view from Shuckstack Mtn, Firewardens cabin remains, Russell Field Shelter. Tonight at the shelter: Picker, Cornpatch, Nate-dog, Thrasher and Turkey, Pace car, Guidefoot and Dad, Dr. John (a geology major who's been to Norway and Iceland).