Date: 2018-03-08
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: US 19E, Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 14.8

It was bitterly cold last nite in the shelter on Roan Knob, my feet were cold in my sleeping bag no matter what I did. A very restless nite indeed. All if us at the shelter had trouble staying warm. Not sure exactly what the temps were at that elevation, it may have been in the single digits. We got a later start than normal, wanting to wait till we had daylight. We were concerned with our footing on the snow covered trail. The ice hidden under the snow can be very slippery. As it was I slipped and fell a couple more times today, but bounced back and all limbs/joints are still working as designed. I had put one of my water bottles in my sleeping bag overnite so I had some water to start, but we were relieved to find a flowing piped spring later that morning to fill up.  In view of the trail conditions Night Train and I took our time today. We arrived at US 19E at about 3:30. We had some long stretches of trail across exposed ridgelines today. Visibility was not the best with a low ceiling and blowing snow. With the wind howling as we struggled to stay erect, we felt like true winter mountaineers as we slowly and painstakingly made our way along the exposed ridges and balds step by step.We are spending the nite at Mountain Harbor Hostel, a very nice place. My maildrop arrived, thank you Kayanne. There was also a bag of goodies that Jeep had left here for us, thank you Jeep for your thoughtfulness. I did the usual laundry and shower routine when I arrived, so I¢ll be ready to hit the trail tomorrow after breakfast. At one point I was going to take a Zero here tomorrow, but the weather forecast has improved so we will try to get some miles in with a mid morning start. We met a couple of other hikers here: Soaring Eagle (a flip-flopper) and his friend Rain Man (a section hiker). A couple of very nice guys, they had a vehicle here and took a run into nearby Roan Mountain and picked up some pizzas for us. I naturally did stuff myself on the pizza. Speaking of food/eating, I did weigh myself here and I can¢t believe it but I¢ve lost 22 lbs in just 4 weeks! That is too much, I can¢t afford to continue to lose weight at this rate. I lost my love handles and feel good, I don¢t feel weak from weight loss and I¢m certainly not gaunt. I was probably about 12-15 lbs. overweight when I started my hike , but not 22 lbs. I will have to try and start eating more I guess.I gave Jeep a call tonite, and he sounded very upbeat. He went to see the doctor and had an MRI done, and apparently there¢s nothing seriously wrong that a few days rest and some medications shouldn¢t take care of. Jeep plans on resuming his hike on Saturday, which is great news. We are with you in spirit Jeep, wishing you the best. Who knows, you may very well catch us and one day come marching into our camp - that would be a most happy occasion indeed!I had a chance to facetime with my grandkids tonite, missing them and all my family. Thinking of you always as I hike on down the trail, you are all always with me in my heart!For tonite I am safe, warm and dry in my bunk at the hostel, goodnite all!