During the first three days of this week I backpacked approximately 25 miles and realized just how challenging mountaintop weather can still be even as we approach Spring. While the trees and bushes are blooming down in the valleys of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville atop the mountains of the National Park things are entirely different.
As a result of this trip I learned (or confirmed my knowledge of) the following:

10: The splendor of what God created in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is truly spectacular.
9: There are many reasons MOST folks hike during late spring, Summer, or early fall.
8: Night hiking with a headlamp isn’t nearly as fun as it might sound.
7: Wet leaves, mud, & melting snow are pretty much identically slippery.
6: Self heating meals are a great invention but need the full ten minutes (or more) to heat in very cold weather.
5: There is no wind louder or stronger than that coming over a mountain ridge, especially Thundertop Mountain!
4: A SEVENTY mile per hour wind WILL move about like a toy a large hiker & heavy pack combination weighing 272 pounds.
3: Snow in the mountains above Gatlinburg is ALWAYS deeper than it appears.
2: There is nothing as attractive as a trail shelter in a winter storm.
1: My foolishness cannot exceed God’s care for me but it can on some occasions be rather close.

Here are some pictures from our backpacking expedition:

If you would like to own your own Smoky Mountain getaway real estate or permanent residence here and be able to enjoy our spectacular scenery all year round, please contact us at Jeff@GatlinburgHomes.com or by phone at 800-818-8133.