It was with great excitement and a little trepidation we embarked on our hike along the Appalachian Trail. Nightmarish visions of cadets being ripped apart by hungry bears or kidnapped by the moonshine crazed hill-billies where not far from my mind when driving down Highway 411 as the majestic forests of the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee came into view. Then the reality hit me, that as expedition leader I was responsible for nine other people for the next two weeks! I hoped I wouldn’t have to deal with any of the disaster scenarios planted in my mind by Hollywood and the highly informative but sometimes terrifying National Park Service website.

The Appalachian Trail was established in 1937. 2,180 miles long, passing through 14 states, it stretches from Georgia in the South to Maine in the North. Completing a part of this world famous trail would be a considerable personal achievement for the cadets involved, the majority of whom had just completed their first year in the Officer Training Corps. Our group was broken down into a support group made up of two drivers and a walking party consisting of seven Officer Cadets and one mountaineering instructor.

On the evening of the 14 August we arrived in Cade’s Cove campsite in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Setting up our tents in the dark proved our first challenge and the sound of the crickets and cicadas echoing through the trees provided the soundtrack for the evening.

We awoke to the smell of frying bacon as our resident chefs/drivers prepared a hearty breakfast to sustain us for the upcoming hike. Our first hike to Abram’s Falls was relatively short at 8km in length but served as an opportunity for the expedition members to acclimatise to the humid conditions and also test the boots and rucksacks they would carry for the next 5 days of hiking on the famous Appalachian Trail.

The 16 August dawned with cooler temperatures and a welcome breeze as we set off on a two day hike. Leaving from Cades Cove we took the Ledbetter Trail for 8km climbing 740 metres to the Russell Field Shelter where we spent the night. The following morning we walked a further 13 km including a significant section of the Appalachian Trail and returned to Cades Cove via the Anthony Creek Trail.

The morning of 18 August greeted us with torrential rain. The day in camp however provided an opportunity to repack rucksacks with fresh supplies and prepare for our forthcoming three day hike. We also had the opportunity to visit some of the outlying towns in the area, many of which had a quaint ‘small town America’ feel.

Our three day hike began on the 19 August and proved to be the most challenging. Rucksacks loaded with extra supplies and the persistent rain made it feel more like a jungle trek in Belize than a hike along the Appalachian Trail! The hot and humid weather we had expected on the trip did not arrive - instead (according to the Park Rangers) we experienced some of the worst wet weather the region had seen in years. We joked that we had brought the Irish weather with us but thankfully the weather didn’t dampen our spirits. The hikes were made worthwhile, when through the trees we would see glimpses of the surrounding mountains with clouds swirling upwards from the valleys providing an iconic view of the Smoky Mountains.

Reaching the shelters each evening we were soaked through and great efforts were made to find dry firewood to dry out clothes. The shelters quickly becoming a spider’s web of drying lines.

Our hike ended at Clingman’s Dome. At 2025m it is the highest point of the Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountains. Unfortunately the viewpoint that promised majestic views of the surrounding mountains and hills was shrouded in mist and cloud. We walked a total of 31km during this three day hike and as we waited for our vehicle pickup in the Clingman’s Dome Visitor Centre car park, our group attracted some inquisitive stares from the day trippers making there way to the souvenir and gift shop. Our dishevelled appearance betraying the fact we had been in the mountains for three days!

The second phase of the trip involved a day of white water rafting at the US National White Water Centre in Charlotte, North Carolina (NC) and a visit to Methodist University Reservist Officer Training Corps programme in Fayetteville, home of Fort Bragg and the 82nd Airborne Division. Then on to Washington DC for day of sightseeing, where we had the good fortunate to watch the Washington Redskins taking on the Buffalo Bills in the most quintessential of American sports. Lastly an absorbing and poignant trip to the historic Gettysburg National Military Park Pennsylvania completed the itinerary.

The expedition was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part and served to develop the self confidence of the cadets involved as well as their teamwork and leadership skills.

Queen’s University Officer Training Corps would like to thank the Ulysses Trust for their generous grant which made the expedition possible.