3/18 Wed Day 5 up and over 15.7 miles

Huge day today up to Clingmans Dome  6643' and now well down the mountains over on the eastern side of the range headed for the Fontana river valley. Ran into a fair bit of ice and snow on the north side of the peak but got through OK with the help of the trekking poles. Saw our first through hiker on top headed for Maine. Trail name Good Night. Started in Georgia on March 1st and hopes to make Maine by end of July. A park ranger was here at the top who informed him Clingmans is exactly 210 miles from the start- 10% of the way to the end to which Goodnight cringed. He is 32 yrs. old, just left his job with Lumber Liquidators before they go under and plans to start anew on his return home to Cleveland after completing his dream goal. Dan was ready to tag along! Pretty cool to visit with. He is on Google blogger as "noise rkc". Will have to look him up
Lucked out with clear skis and breathtaking views of the top. Hiked through a couple miles of patchy snow and a fair bit of ice.
Saw some old growth timber which the loggers missed. Spell bounding to hike up on. Spruce and the largest Tulip Popular we've ever seen.
Just finished eating and both turning in dark. Hiker midnight.

Trail magic Dan offered Good Night half of an almond mounds bar he was carrying and his eyes lit up like he was being offered gold.

 

log walking over streams (works till creek gets too big)

 

 

lunch trail side Ramon noodles n tuna pack

 

 

ice cold mountain water

 

first sign of ice and snow headed to Clingmans Dome

 

  

Clingmans Dome 6643' 

 

heading up and ready to add layers

 

Top of the World east of the Mississippi  

 

  

 

monster Tulip Popular old growth timber 7' dia @ breast height

 

Dan's make shift rabbit hole with "trail magic tarp"

high and dry and away from wild boars