Alone and unafraid

25 March 2014 (Day 21) – I camped alone last night for the first time. The shelter areas where I normally camp are currently filled with spring breakers who are not on the same sleep schedule as long distance hikers. So last night I chose a small clearing to pitch my tent, cooked dinner, hung my food bag (bear prevention), and was in my sleeping bag by 2000 hrs. At midnight, I peed under a cold, cloudless sky filled with millions of stars visible through the leafless trees. At 0300, I heard the first snowflakes begin to fall. By 0630, there was 6 inches of snow on the tent and I was preparing to hike one of my best days yet on the A.T. I made 6 miles of fresh tracks through some very pretty scenery. Quiet, peaceful, crisply cold. Perfect.