Day 17: Stecoah Gap to the Fontana Hilton mile 165

We stayed right at the gap down a forest road. So the first challenge.of the morning was to climb out of Stecoah Gap. We immediately hit probably the steepest section of Trail yet and my calves were locked up fast. By the time we hit our next steep section several miles later, the intemidatingly named Jacob's Ladder, I was zoned out and didn't even notice it. The unnamed section was much harder than that so called.ladder.

The rest of the day was pretty much downhill into Fontana dam. At mile 14 or so we hit the Marina where you can get a shuttle to the village for the general store and a gril. I got us some snacks and sodas for the shuttle ride and then we hit the general store.

The general store was a bit expensive but at least they had hiker food, which was contrary to many Internet warnings about Fontana. They even had several varieties of local beers, so of course I got a sixer of a black IPA for the shelter.

Meanwhile we started laundry.

Then we went to the grill where we each got a "small" salad bar trip that we converted into basically entire meals and made our entrees more of a personal challenge than a meal.

There was a national Brosef convention at the village this weekend, so the park was filled with the whining sound of literally dozens, probably over 100 at least, VW z34 something or other little coop cars. So weird.

It was getting dark by the time we were able.to get our waitress ' attention to pay the check and catch the shuttle back to the marina. Becca and got droped.off there so we could hike the 1.1 miles into the Fontana Hilton. Sarah and Kellen went to the shelter.

Becca and I hiked with Headlamps and beers in hand until we reached the Hilton around 930. The Hilton is not a hotel. It's a large shelter that actually has hot showers and a bathroom building. That means it's basically the fanciest shelter.on the AT. Some hilarious and awesome person had dropped off a shopping bag full of single-serving soaps front real Hilton too.

So in summary, we hiked up the steepest hill yet, went 15ish miles into Fontana, resupplied, did laundry, ate dinner, hiked another 1.1 miles and finished off a sixer today. That is a full day if.you ask me.