#72 Jones Meadow to Flint Mountain Shelter Day 28: ATMM 297.1 to ATMM 308.5
The spirit awakens. I am alive.
Note to reader - I accidentally sent out un unfinished and unedited version of this story last week (4-18-22). Here is the finished version:
We wake to a cool damp morning low between two mountains. The sun begins to burn away the moisture as we gain elevation. The white sky turn to deep blue.
The first mountain of the day crosses exposed boulders and are we’re treated to broad views. To the West; mountains. To the East; an expansive valley. The boulder scramble is challenging yet gratifying. The sky is clear. The air is clean. The warm sun and cool wind dance in contradicting perfection, providing refreshing comfort to the body.
The spirit awakens. I am alive.
Resting at Jerry Cabin Shelter, a through hiker dubbed Antz tells us that he was on the trail earlier in the year but got off when COVID became a problem. He recently returned to finish his hike to Maine. He says the NC State Troopers were waiting for hikers at trailheads to give them mandatory one-way rides into the closest town with orders to find their way home.