Today I made my way from Standing Indian to Rock Gap.

A 19.3 mile challenge, but my legs and body are feeling great, even woth the chilly morning. I find it hard to wake upnon the morning, not wanting to leave my warm cocoon. But eventually, I am up and on the trail, moving furhter north before most of my contemporaries are up. I enjoy seeing the frost and ice formations from last night cold spell.

The ground water that typically sesps or flows from gullies and springs over the trail has frozen. Rocks are glazed with ice, while the ground has been pushed up by ice featgers that gove a satifying crunch as you walk over them.

With just my body heat to keep me warm as I head down the trail. When its colder out I find myself drinking less water and stoping less to rest, so I make good time. I stop for lunch at an overlook, warming my self in the sun before setting off down the trail. The Georgia start to the Appalachian trail was filled with stair-stepping mountains the take the trail up and over mountains. I am finding that many of the North Carolina trails take up up and around mountains and follow longer ridge lines. The upwards elevation seems more stretched out and the are longer "flat" sections that weave around peaks along the ridgeline.

This is helping get those longer mile days in. Slim Jim and I flip flop past each other as we head down the trail. But eventually, he beat me to camp, saving a tent spot next to him for me. 19.3 miles leave me sore and tired, but hopefully a good night's sleep helps me recover.

Summary of Progress:

• Miles Completed: 19.3

• Total Miles Completed: 114.6

• Location: North Carolina

• Weather: Cold morning and cool day