Hurricane Sandy brought an early snow storm in the Smokies at high elevations. 32 inches of snow was dumped along the AT, Mt. LeConte, Clingman's Dome, etc. Some hikers were trapped. A friend told me two hikers got rescued at a shelter, but I haven't seen an article for it. Here an article of a rescue operation currently underway. I been to the Tricorner knob and that stretch of the Smokies is pretty darn isolated. Anyway, I guess point is to always be prepare and know your limitation. I had plans to go backpacking this weekend and was going regardless of the snow, but my hiking partner still mending a torn ligament in his ankle. I decided not to go alone. I guess I could experiment in making my own dehydrated meal kit this weekend..