Day 16. Nantahala Outdoor Center to Sassafras Gap Shelter

I had a nice warm night in my jail size hostel room at the NOC. This morning I had a huge country style breakfast at the Rivers Edge restaurant with How Bout and Bub. How Bout And I started hiking at 1030. The climb out of the NOC was agonizing to say the least. 3,000 feet in elevation gain all within 6.7 miles. Numerous times I was certain I was nearing the top, only to find another steep climb one after the other. This was truly a test of my endurance and faith.

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.

Day 15. Tellico Gap to Nantahala Outdoor Center

After spending a great night at the Aquone Hostel, I was served an awesome breakfast of homemade waffles and strawberries by Abby and Steve, the hostel owners. The British couple made a perfect stranger feel at home. I can't say enough about them. I truly was blessed to have met them. Last night after dark, Steve left the comfort and warmth of his home to rescue a hiker trapped by snow in the same area he picked up How About and me. The thru hiker, " Bub" stayed the night in the hostel with us. After breakfast, Steve dropped us off at Tellico Gap where we continued our journey. After walking in the snow for 1 1/2 miles straight up to 5,000 ft above sea level, we reached the Weser Bald Observation Tower. The views were beyond words... The sky was crystal clear with visibility of 40 - 50 miles.

From the tower we began a steep decent 4.5 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The climb down was tricky with most of the trail covered by fresh snow. There were a few areas where it was necessary for me to sit and slide down rocks. The decent took over 4 hours. My knees and right shin took a beating.

When we arrived at the NOC, I checked into the hostel. How about and I are sharing a room for the night. The room is a little larger than a jail cell!!! Amazing, because we went from a luxury cabin to a prison cell for the same cost!!! After settling in we had a fat burger at the Rivers Edge Restaurant and retired to our jail suite for the night...

Today I hiked 8.3 miles of tough terrain. Tomorrow the plan is to climb out of the NOC early to the Sassafras Shelter 6.5 miles straight up hill. It will be a tough day.

So far I have hiked 137.5 miles. I am 3 days away from entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Today I learned a valuable lesson in genuine caring. A home was opened to me by perfect strangers. I could genuinely feel their concern, caring nature and interest in my journey. Steve and Abby gave me a peaceful feeling that someday I to will return to a perfect stranger as well...

Day 14. Wayah Bald Shelter to Aquone Hostel

This morning I awoke to snow again... Overnight it had snowed 2-3 inches. Temps were in the low 20's. I was nice and warm in my sleeping bag most of the night and slept well. Had a nice hot oatmeal breakfast and hit the trail at 0830. I'm again hiking with How About. We have been getting along well and seem to keep a similar pace.

The snow kept up the entire day. We hiked in the 4,700 - 5,000 foot range above sea level. As we climbed higher in elevation the snow increased and the temps dropped. It is estimated a 3 degree temp drop for every 1,000 feet in elevation gain. The wilderness was covered in thick pure white powdered snow. It was an awesome sight... Early in the day, I spotted a Bard Owl swooping from branch to branch. I also followed large coyote tracks for approximately 1/4 mile on the trail. Other than the wildlife tracks, the trail was covered with virgin snow as I navigated the trail. The snow covering proved to be difficult to identify rocks, roots and holes in the trail. Many times I found myself slipping and sliding.

The original plan was to hike to the Wesser Bald Shelter and spend the night. However with adverse weather conditions, I made the decision to spend the night at the Aquone Hostel. I arraigned for an ex-fil at Telico Gap. The hostel owner picked us up and brought us to his first class hostel 10 miles away. The hostel is a luxury cabin he converted into a hiker hostel. His wife made homemade meatloaf and potatoes for dinner and laundered my clothes! Tomorrow I will be dropped off at Telico Gap And continue 8.1 miles the the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

Today I hiked 8.4 miles in a snow storm!!! Awesome!!! Perserverence is a state of mind... You cannot just quit in the middle of a snow storm. Your life depends on your minds strong will and sound decisions. Each day I am learning something new about my state of mind...

Today I was reminded of an anonymous quote... " Why wait for the storm to pass, when you could learn to dance in the rain..."

There is no cell service or Internet coverage at this hostel, so this post will be a day or so late.

So far I have hiked 129.2 miles!!! Although, my thoughts have traveled further... I'm looking forward to to the adventure God has in store for me tomorrow.

Day 13. Winding Stair Gap to Wayah Bald Shelter

Yesterday I had a nice restful day. I was able to resupply and organize my gear. Had a nice rib dinner at the Blue Ridge Roadhouse Grill in Franklin. I started hiking at 0930 hours this morning with How About. We were shuttled back to the trail head by a nice ole fellow named Bill. The morning started with temps in the high 30's and the sky was ominous.

As we ascended into the higher elevations of the Nantahala Wilderness, it became much colder and everything was covered in snow from the day before. Tonight we are expecting more snow at our location. The views and trail was awesome. We passed an old Forestry cabin built in 1916. It was very creepy looking!!! We took a few pics and walked away fast. As I was walking away, I felt like someone was watching me through to old wooden shutters...

A short time later we passed a beautiful stone Forestry tower and took a few pics. After an adventurous day of hiking, we arrived at the Wayah Bald Shelter for the night. It is very very cold here. I plan to sleep in everything I have!!! I'm getting ready to make a nice hot bag of spaghetti for dinner. Today I hiked 11miles through the snow...

So far I have hiked 120.8 miles!!!!