Hiking back to camp

After a nice break we headed down the rocky path talking and thinking about how we wanted to head back. We really only had two options. One was to go back down the AT to the Low Gap trail or we could tack on a few extra miles and head down AT the other way and loop up on the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail. 

If we decided to take the later it would be about a 16 mile hike vs a 12 mile hike. Thinking it was going to be mostly a downhill hike we thought, Hey what is an extra 4 miles… Looking back we both feel accomplished that we were able to do a tough 16 mile hike but also admit it was not one of our brightest ideas. 

Four miles in the smokies, even being downhill and even most of the way was not a piece of cake. The AT on this side of Mt. Cammerer was really rough and rocky so our pace was slower then what we would have preferred. We had to watch our steps very carefully so we didn't fall. It was nice it hit these parts as a break. 

When we hit the Lower Mt. Cammerer tail, we still have 7.4 miles to get back to the campground. Even though we had a good start we didn't plan going down the AT at the slower pace. We had plenty of food and water still but it was important to get back before dark. So we made goals and thankfully this trail was a much easier hike. 

The other problem we came across was we stopped at the AT and Lower Mt. Cammerer trail to rest and for me to feed Livvy. After not seeing anyone after leaving the top we thought it would fine feeding her. But just as I was a pair of young men who were hiking the AT in its entirety came up and stopped for a rest and then a young couple who came from Cosby campground decided it was time to stop and rest too…. So we had to wait for them to move on before I could feed Livvy. So it added more resting time then we intended. 

We did end up making good time on Lower Mt. Cammerer and got back a little bit before dark. I will say the last two miles we were pretty beat. And probably our feet and shoulders felt it the most when we got back. We were both happy to see our tent and our chairs. Thankfully we decided just do to some dehydrated meals so all we had to do for dinner is boil some water and add it to the food and let it rehydrate, then eat it. After 16 miles of hiking in one day it tasted great to have something warm and filling!

Livvy did pretty good as well until about the last mile and she had had enough of the carrier. All in all thats pretty good. Eric ended up going on ahead a little faster to drop off the carrier at camp and came back and met me to walk back to camp with me. Livvy had the chance to dip her feet in the water which she enjoyed. After dinner we didn't stay up too long and were off to bed after a long day of hiking!