Two more bagel sandwiches this morning while I let it warm up a bit outside. It had gotten down to 26.4 in the tent at one point. By the time I opened up the door, the sun had heated the inside to over 50°. Needless to say it was late morning by that time but the plan was to camp on Mt. Mitchell's slopes this side of the summit.

Mt. Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. at 6,648 ft. above sea level it and the rest of the Black Mtns had caught a fair amount of snow while I overnighted in Margin. It was disappearing quickly as the day wore on. Since it is a big lump and part of a state park without at large camping I decided to stay at some known good spot around 4,500 ft on it's easter slopes. That is where I am now. Today's walk was fairly easy. I crossed the Parkway three times before heading towards Mt. Mitchell more directly.

This must be a well used camping spot because there is a very bold mouse running around through here. It looks fat but I have my food hanging from the ceiling so it won't find anything of mine. I wonder if I'll be able to get a picture.