Days 24-26 The Smokies

Day 24, 10.9 miles, Icewater Spring Shelter at AT mile marker 209.8.  After an interesting, but very fun day and night in Gatlinberg it was back to the trail...not soon enough. We've decided we like the trail better then the towns...which worries us a bit. :) Thanks to Spams Mom we got a ride back to Clingmans Dome. We decided its kind of ironic that we get a lot of funny stares, questions and folks calling us nuts from a group of people that vacation in Gatlinberg...sorry, Had to have one last jab.  It was 26 degrees last night and when we got dropped of at 1230 there was still ice on the rocks. It was a beautiful sunny day but very windy and cold. I've decided hiking cold improves your endurance as we did the nearly 11 miles in record time. Lots of ice and cold wind but a great day to hike. Plus we passed the 200 mile marker so thats always a good day.  It's suppose to be colder tonight so its appropriate we are at the Icewater Spring Shelter.  It is very windy but as I write this I am tucked under my sleeping bag In my tent and am snug as a bug...let's hope I can say that in the morning. :). One bit of sad news. Valasiwolf had to get of the trail and head back to Boston for a family emergency so our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Hopefully he will be able to rejoin the Wayah Pack shortly but it's never fun saying goodbye to a member. Tomorrows plan is a 12ish mile day so hopefully the sunny weather holds. Day 25, 12.6miles at Tri Corner Knob Shelter at AT mile marker 222.4. Yes it was very cold and windy last night. We awoke to frozen water bottles, bladders and ice on our tents. One Ranger said it got down to 19 degrees but we don't think it was that cold. Happy to report all equipment worked as advertised so I was warm as could be. We have absolutely lucked out with the weather as we had another beautiful sunny day. We passed a place called "Charlie's Bunion" which was amazing. I will post the photos on Facebook when I can...probably just after I post this. Beautiful rock outcropping...a bit "festive" as it was quite a drop, but you could see for miles and a cool photo op. the rest of the day was just amazing view after amazing view and we are now at the remotest shelter in the Smokey Mountain National Park...which is great. Horses are aloud in the park so we had four of them come in to drink which gave us something to do other than eat and stare at the fire. :). It is a bit warmer tonight and no wind so it feels down right tropical. We have an easy 8 mile day tomorrow followed by a 10ish on Saturday into the hostel where I will pick up the boys...can not wait. Day 26, 7.7 miles, Cosby Knob Shelter at AT mm 230.1. Our second to last day in the Smokey's...they have been great to us. A bit cold but sunny and beautiful views. We've talked to folks who have done this section in rain and snow and they say it is miserable...so thank you Smokeys for a great week. The rules of the park say you have to stay at a shelter.  As much as i want to get Mojo and Skye back as soon as possible, my options were a 7.7 mile day or an 18.3 mile day to get out if the park. The boys are in good hands so Today was a short day for us. As we are coming out of the Smokeys we are doing a lot more downhill which is a nice change. It also allowed for of our wolf pack to catch up before we head into Standing Bear Farm Hostel tomorrow.   It appears we are somehow making a name for ourselves...not intentionally.  Most people seem to have heard of the "Wolf Pack" by now. Some silly rumors but mainly good things about Atlas's music and how much fun we are having. South Bounders today were asking if we were part of the pack, giving us high fives, etc. One guy called Atlas a legend so he was happy and that made our day. Also, One of our guys called the hostel we are staying at tomorrow and they asked him "do you know when the wolf pack is getting here, cant wait to meet them". Who knows, maybe they'll jack up their prices but they seemed excited we'll be there tomorrow. :)  So this has been fun. So an easy 10.6er tomorrow, in nice weather, downhill to finish off the beautiful Smokeys, stay in a hostel and get my boys...should be a good day!!