Newfound Gap/Gatlinburg – Hot Springs, day 19-22

Now we have done 274 (283) miles. Who can say that he/she has walked 453 km in 3 weeks in our modern society? Still it’s only just 1/8 of the entire Appalachian Trail. Tool an additional unplanned Zero day in Gatlinburg,  Tennessee because Silva’s got a cold after seceral days in the pouring rain. Seen our first (wild) bears! 4 in the morning after starting from Standing Bear (!) hostel. Some 50 meters above us on a steep slope and after the next switchback one was standing directly on the trail. Exciting! Did our first 20 miles (32 km) day and had our coldest night so far (around 0 Celsius, hard wind from the west) on Walnut Mountain. A lot of sun and no rain the last 4 days but really cold wind.