I'm planning a section hike for this summer NOC north to Hot Springs. I'm not a fan of shelters, especially in the summer. I know park regs require you to stay at a shelter each night but you are permitted to camp nearby if it is full. I use an underquilt for my bottom insulation but I am planning on bringing a thermarest for this section in case I don't have a choice. My question to those in the know, has anyone hiked through the Smokies in the last year or so in the summer? If so, how often were you able to hang? I've heard most folks suggest that you get to shelter and wait for it to fill up and/or linger on the trail and show up late towards the end of the day. I was just wondering what folks experiences have been. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.