Great Smoky Mountains A.T. (SOBO) traverse, April 2026

  •   Category Weight
  • Shelter system
    0.28 lb
  • Packing system
    1.02 lb
  • Sleep System
    1.91 lb
  • Packed Clothing
    1.48 lb
  • Cooking & Food Protection
    0.33 lb
  • Hydration system
    0.15 lb
  • Electronics
    1.01 lb
  • Small Essentials
    0.29 lb
  • Worn Clothing
    0 lb
  • Consumables
    8.76 lb
  • Total 15.22
    lb
    • oz
    • lb
    • g
    • kg
  • Consumable 8.8 lb
  • Base Weight 6.43 lb

GSMNP AT Traverse — Davenport Gap to Fontana Dam. I'm hiking SOBO due to easier entry/exit

  • April 18 — Shuttle from Fontana Dam parking lot to Davenport Gap and hike to Tricorner Knob Shelter / 15.7 miles / ~4,200 ft elevation gain / Camp elevation: 5,887 ft

  • April 19 — Tricorner Knob Shelter to Icewater Spring Shelter / 12.6 miles / ~2,500 ft elevation gain / Camp elevation: 5,917 ft

  • April 20 — Icewater Spring Shelter to Double Spring Gap Shelter / 13.6 miles / ~2,000 ft elevation gain / Camp elevation: 5,487 ft

  • April 21 — Double Spring Gap Shelter to Spence Field Shelter / 13.5 miles / ~1,800 ft elevation gain / Camp elevation: 4,875 ft

  • April 22 — Spence Field Shelter to Fontana Dam (EXIT) / 19.0 miles / ~2,200 ft elevation gain / Exit elevation: 1,727 ft

Totals: 74.4 miles / ~12,700 ft cumulative elevation gain / Exit: April 22​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Expected weather: Unpredictable spring conditions at high elevation (camps ranging from 4,875–5,917 ft / 1,486–1,803 m). Daytime highs likely in the 40s–50s°F (4–15°C) on the ridgelines, with nighttime lows near freezing (0°C) — a 10th-percentile risk of dropping into the low 20s°F (-6°C). Frequent moisture is likely, including persistent ridge-level drizzle and frontal rain systems. Avoiding hypothermia is a primary safety concern. Late-season snow is possible. Lower elevations may be springlike, but I’m expecting conditions closer to winter on the crest. Bug pressure should be negligible, but high winds and dense fog are realistic. Other notes:

  • My permit requires that I sleep in reserved shelters.

  • Food and smellables must be hung at night from provided bear cables.

  • Gear choices will be adapted to forecasted weather as it comes available.