Overnight it was milder so I slept well. I hit the trail at 7:45. The first stop was High Rock which had some great views to the north and east. Then a long descent into Sam’s Gap, where a trail angel first got me interested in thru-hiking. Sure enough a trail angel, Nomad, was all set up, and five or six hikers were in comfy chairs in a circle eating, drinking and chatting. Nomad handed me a plate of pancakes with syrup. I devoured those, ate some cookies and a clementine and apple, and took a small baggie of dehydrated veggies and another containing two wraps, for later. Nomad hiked the trail a couple of years back and sets aside some money of his own for trail magic, and stops when the money runs out. I let my three one-dollar bills in his donation jar.
Less than two miles up trail someone had dropped off some coolers wirh soda, cheese, fruits and veggies etc. I ate some cheese and veggies. Nice to have fresh produce twice in one morning.
I climbed up Big Bald ralking to Fozzy, a thirty-something landscape architect who quit his job to hike and to plan how to start his own business when he’s back from trail.
Big Bald is a pretty tall mountain with a huge bear grassy area on top. There were about twenty people up there when Fozzy and I arrived. He introduced me to Peach Princess from Maine. They and almost everyone else left while I ate my lunch of cheese wraps with wild leeks. Then on I went.
The rest of the day was mostly just walking. I met Dreamer, a young woman who dreams a lot on trail, ran into Peach Princess again but we chatted only briefly, and got to the shelter just before 7pm. Not Polo from the Smokies was tenting and there was a flat spot near his tent si I pitched there. Managed to do all the evening stuff before dark. Met Bushwack, who is finishing his triple crown hikes this year. I’m pooped after a very long day but had some good chats, great views, and lots of foid. Everything a hiker needs.
Mile 316.4 to 338.3 = 21.9 miles.
