Day 22. Spence Field Shelter to Silers Bald Shelter

Another punishing day.... When I awoke at the Shelter this morning, I started to hike at 0630 in the dark using my headlamp. An early start for a long day. I did have a good nights sleep. My layering sleep system is working great. Down Bag, liner, down pants, jacket, thermals, and hat.

Early this morning I summited "Rocky Top". I'm sure you all know the song Rocky Top Tennessee. Well this is it. Google the lyrics sometime. It's about a man and a woman that climb Rocky Top looking for a moonshine still but only find the awesome views. This morning I totally wished I would find that still!!

Today's hike was long and hard. Numerous uphill battles. Snow covered the North Face of the trail for most of the day. I made it to Silers Bald Shelter at 1830, exhausted and barely able to take another step. My left two smallest toes are numb and stinging. I think from the combination of wet cold boots and the pressure against the inside of the boot. It's very painful at times...

Today I hiked 11.8 miles through the snow again over the famous " Rocky Top"!!

So far I have hiked 194.3 miles!!