Hey, my friend and I are thinking about hiking the AT through the Smokies first week of December. From Fontana Dam to Chestnut Branch Trail. What can we expect for this hike? Do you have to stay in the shelters or can you camp near them? Looks like elevation gain/loss is mostly at the beginning and end, right? Should we go north or south? Where can we park at Fontana Dam? Thanks for the help. I did this hike before about 10 year ago in July and paid for a shuttle back to Fontana.