Sunday, March 13th

Miles 8.7

Total miles 124.0

I had a wonderful breakfast with the rest of the hostel guests. We were served an egg and sausage breakfast casserole. It is always nice to spend time with the other hikers. I usually see hikers for a day or two before they hike out of my range. This time I knew a few of them, due to people taking time off trail for the weather. I caught up to a couple of people I didn’t think I would see again. 

My first slack pack! It was so nice to not carry a heavy backpack. I carried own backpack with nothing in it except water and a couple of snack bars. I could get my pack off and on without struggling. I’ll be a happy camper when I have the strength to put my backpack on without struggling. It has to happen sometime in the middle of this hike, right?

Hiking today was like I envisioned my winter’s hike to be. It was GORGEOUS out. The fluffy white snow was picturesque and the mountains in the distance just as I had hoped. Today I was hiking through postcards.

I saw one set of footprints in the snow to follow through the first half of my hike. At the midpoint, Wayah Bald stone tower, another hiker passed me. Then I had two sets of footprints to follow. 

At the very end of today’s journey, there was a large dining tent set up. Trail magic! It was filled with all kinds of free food for hikers. Wow! Trail angels are such a generous lot. I had a hot dog and took a Hostess cupcake for later. I’m hoping it will not get smashed in my bear canister. My 60th birthday is Thursday and I will eat it then.