Top 5 Things To Know About North Carolina

1-The Balds. Sorry Virginia, the discussion begins and ends here. The
highlight of the southern AT is the balds and the balds are in Carolina.

2-Elevation. If you didn’t realize you were in the mountains before,
you’ll realize it now. Everything in Carolina is about 1500’ higher
than almost everything else on the AT. Get ready for some serious ups.

3-Punctuation. No, southern grammar still is what it is. What I mean
is that the choices are much clearer where to rest and resupply. Hot
Springs and Nanatahala Outdoor Center are literally on the trail and
Fontana Dam and Erwin, TN might as well be.

4-Alcohol. Most towns along the trail in North Carolina do not sell or
serve alcohol, Hot Springs being the notable exception. While some
have gone to great lengths to try and get around this, going without is
perhaps not the worst thing that could happen.

5-Snow. That’s right. Snow. Get the palm trees and 70' in winter
out of your head. That's Miami. Expect accumulating snow through
March, light amounts through April and even flurries in May on
the summits. The good news is that it melts quickly. The bad news
is that it can be a heavy slushy mess when it does.