Date: 2018-04-17
From: Sams Gap-Natures Inn hostel 

To: No Business Knob shelter 
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

once again a little  hung over today.I will never learn.Taft the owner of the hostel took us back to the trail at 8am. What a difference today!Gorgeous blue sky day with fresh snow.Lots of deep snow drifts to start out the day.The first amazing part of today was an open meadow with views straight ahead to Big Bald mtn.Clouds we¢re whipping past us overhead .Sometimes the views can¢t be explained and don¢t even look real.They are overwhelming at times that places like this exist.  Today was really cool because I love winter hiking and that¢s exactly what it was.Looking up at the contrasts of the frozen treetops against the deepest blue skies you can imagine.Cant get enough of this  Made it to the top of Big Bald.Its soooo cool!360 degree view from a summit clear of trees at 5500 feet.Its the strongest wind I have been in so far on this trip.Really got knocked around by it and had to lean into it to stay up.I love being in situations like that!I saw One Foot on top who was so happy with his situation he told me it was one of the best days of his life.I really like him.He gets it,loves it out here as much as I do .There is a good half mile walk to get back below tree line and out of the crazy wind.Comfortably Numb and I froze so we could enjoy the views for a while.Had a hard time leaving.He said it¢s his favorite spot so far on the trail We stopped into Big Bald Shelter to get some food and try to warm up.Shelter was crammed with everyone saying what a cool experience Big Bald was  The next few miles were down,down,and more down.Some parts were scary because of snow,slush and mud mixture going steeply down.Its like walking on vasoline.Had to really take our time and lots of people fell.Was okay though because of great scenery.  Saw One Foot and he said I should take a short little side trail up to High rocks.Really nice sunny spot with a great view off of a huge rock slab.Glad I did it.Soaked the sun.Didnt think I would ever feel that warm again after Big Bald Finally got to a lower elevation and followed a beautiful stream with lots of little waterfalls for a long ways.Super relaxing after having to watch every step in the vasoline snow.The trail the last few miles to the shelter was excellent.It was nice and soft which has been rare because the ground is still frozen in most places and really hard.  Tenting at No Business Knob Shelter tonight.Found a great spot away from everyone.So quiet and peaceful.Owls are doing their thing again tonight.I love the sounds they make.No wind and warmer too.Really like everyone in my hiking bubble but I love being alone in the wilderness.There is nothing like it to me.This trail definitely gives you the option to do either   Tomorrow Comfortably Numb and I will be going into Erwin Tennessee to resupply our food.Hiker hunger is no joke.Finding myself eating every little crumb and licking out the insides of bags or sauces.Its pretty much impossible to eat enough compared to what you burn off every day   Hope you are all doing well in the real world.Wish you all could join me in this world even for a little bit.I can¢t even describe how much I love it out here