That was the coldest night I have ever experienced camping in my life. Everything was frozen in my tent when I woke up. My underwear that I had set out to dry after arriving yesterday was now a solid sheet of ice. I had to crease and fold it in order to get it into my warm sleeping bag so that it would thaw out enough to put back on. The mesh on the inside of my tent was covered in ice crystals. Normally I would worry about these falling on my sleeping bag and soaking it but it was too cold for anything to melt. Those crystals that did fall were easily brushed off like so much dust. I just wanted to stay in my sleeping bag but I had to pee. I took a short walk to take care of the call of nature. This walk gave me a chance to evaluate the state of my knees. Normally when I arrive in camp after a day of hiking my knees are a little swollen and achey, but after some vitamin I and a good night’s sleep they feel good and solid again. Unfortunately when I took my walk I noticed no change in my right knee. Something still felt wrong and it was painful to walk down hills on it.  
I sent my dad a text letting him know my injury status and asking his advice. I then crawled back into my sleeping bag and waited for a reply. Once he and I had a chance to talk we decided that considering the weather and the up coming terrain the wisest course of action would be fore me to hike back up to Wayah Bald and then down the forest service road to meet him at a highway crossing. If I had decided to push forward on the trail my knee could have gone out completely stranding me miles from any help. Discretion is the better part of valor so I would beat a retreat.  
The weather was clear as could be with beautiful blue skies and sunshine that made the snow almost blindingly white. It was still bitter cold. I packed up my camp. I had slept with my CamelBak in my sleeping bag so that my water wouldn’t freeze solid. In the five minutes between putting it in my pack and finishing loading everything else up my drinking tube had frozen solid. The hike that day would not be too taxing. It was a mile back up hill to Wayah Bald then a four mile walk down a forest service road. I was disappointed in my injury but I wasn’t upset. So I decided to look at the bright side of things. I was able to see the gorgeous views from the top of the bald. The walk down the road was breathtaking and it gave me a chance to evaluate everything and come to peace with taking a break from the trail. It also made me realize that there was no way I could have continued on with my injury. I met my dad at a road crossing. I reassured him that I was not finished with this adventure and I would be back. He gave me a hug and agreed.

The view from Wayah Bald

Forest Service Road