On the way up I passed a bronze plaque in memory of Forestry Firefighter Wade A. Sutton who lost his life in a forest fire 783 feet southwest of the monument. The date was December 7, 1968 when fellow firefighters found him dead next to a stream. He died of smoke inhalation. I placed a small stone on the plaque, said a prayer and quietly walked away. It reminded me that life is fragile and to live each day as if it were your last. For you truly do not know if tomorrow will ever come or when your bell will toll...
As I reached the higher elevations snow covered the mountain. The trail was slick from the packed melting snow making it difficult to maintain my balance. I had a few near misses... The summit finally came. When I saw it, I had tears in my eyes. I was proud of myself to accomplish such a feat that years ago would be impossible. I was struck in awe as I stared out across the horizon of mountains knowing I had already climbed many of them. As humans we really are just a minute part of a much bigger picture. I like to say "I'm just a tiny flea on an elephants ass..."
We made it to Sassafras Gap Shelter for the night. The first thing I noticed upon arrival is the large bear tracks in the snow all around the shelter including in the shelters foyer. The tracks are very fresh from today. I'm expecting a night time visit from Yogi the Bear tonight. The tracks lead down the embankment in front of the shelter. I will be sleeping with my camera just in case.
Today was a personal achievement for me not only physically but I learned something else about myself and a valuable lesson. I was walking along a high narrow snow covered ridge climbing over rocks. I was carefully watching the footprints in the snow trying to mirror my footing. I began to realize that in my personal life I am always careful as I tread through life making sometimes risky decisions, many that end in failure or prove to hurt others because of my selfish actions. I am always looking down to what best suits me. It was then it hit me.... Literally!! I was too busy watching the trail and never looked up. I walked right into a hardwood tree branch overhanging the trail. It nearly knocked me out. I was dizzy and checked my forehead for a laceration. Luckily there was none. Then it was clear to me. As I tread through my life, I am always too busy looking down to save myself from falling but I never look ahead for the consequences. The consequences of failure and hurting others. If I had hit that branch sooner in life, I'm sure my life would be different...
Today I only hiked 6.7 miles, but it was the hardest climb so far. I am 2 days away from the Great Smoky Mountain National Forest. I could see the majestic snow covered mountains in the distance today. I am really looking forward to experiencing the Smoky's.
So far I have hiked 144.0 miles!!! If I don't post in a few days, please look for the large black bear with an Ipad Mini... Good night.
