Long day. 12.6 miles across a high ridge. Beautiful views of Carolina mountains to the eas. Tennessee piedmont and valley (Tennessee River?) to the west. Morning was best. I walked into the cold light of morning under bare trees. The trail climbed immediately from camp, following a narrow corridor defined by trees and undergrowth. Cold light is reflected from delicate branches. Saw a deer and watched a giant earthworm slowly eating into the soil, its long body slowly pulling itself along section by section.
Walked up to the fire tower on Camp Creek Bald. The Mountaintop hums with the electromagnetic power of a vast, sinister force and its signal towers which share the bald with the tower. The fire tower observation deck is ringed with razor wire. Took five hours to cover the first seven miles. Had great views in all directions from rocky, exposed trail across Blackstack Cliffs(?). Afternoon went faster--six miles in three hours. Walked across the bald on Big Butt, a beautiful meadow on top of the world. Nice, long downhill into a V-shaped gap. Short uphill and I'm in at Flint Hill Shelter. Woods are quiet with background chirping and buzzing of thousands of insects. A dog barks occasionally in the distance. Kutsa hiccuped.
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