People started leaving camp around 5:30a. Storms were coming today and they wanted to get to a shelter before they hit. It was predicted that the rain would start between 9a and 11a. It started somewhere near 10a. Ben and I were the last ones to leave camp at 8a. Knowing rain was coming, we packed the camera away. That’s where it stayed all day, so no photos. I’m sorry.
After a little bit we hit some more trail magic! This time it was burgers! It was Ben’s first burger on the AT. He was so excited. The people who were putting it on are a husband and wife team that have hiked the AT 3 times. She is one of 3 women who have hiked this trail 3 times. Before the AT, they had never backpacked. Afterwards, they sold everything, bought an RV and work seasonally so they can have time to backpack. This or next year they will hike the AT again. However, this time they plan to go GA to ME and then turn right around to hike back to GA again.
After the trail magic the rains hit. Early in the storm we hiked up a section called “Jacob’s Ladder”. I don’t know why Jacob couldn’t put in an escalator.
We walked a bit before we came to a shelter. We decided to duck in for a break. It was absolutely packed. At one time, there were at least 25 people in there hiding from the storms. We were huddled together like feral cats under a dumpster.
Some people came in just sopping wet because they didn’t have rain gear. I couldn’t imagine it. The rain with the wind was just too cold. I would think they risk serious hypothermia to be without. Some sleep under tarps to save weight too. That’s the mindset of the ultra-light backpacker. To me, it’s an unprepared backpacker. I would rather carry the extra weight and be safe. But, it seems to work well for them so to each their own. Or as they say on the AT, “hike your own hike”. As they huddled in the shelter dripping, Ben and I pushed on to get in our miles.
The rained cleared up just a few miles after we left. When it did, we stopped on the rocks and just looked out into the forest, watching the fog start to rise.
We hiked 14 miles in total and stopped at a designated campsite near a stream. It was the first night on this trip that Ben and I camped all by ourselves. It was nice to have the time for just us.
Ben set up camp and found an adorable salamander near the stream hidden under the leaves. I made dinner (teriyaki noodles with peanut butter and chicken). I rolled my eyes when I saw that Ben carried a can of soda all day. He got it from the trail magic earlier. Again, “hike your own hike”. To him, the weight was worth it. For me, it would not be. See how that works? Comforts have different values based on the opinions of each individual backpacker.
Immediately after dinner I crawled into the tent and snuggled in. I had been cold and wet all day and just needed some down time. Ben attempted to start a fire but everything was too wet, even when he tried using our camp stove to light it. Well, at least he got to have his pop.
We went to bed half wet, bodies tired, but hearts happy because tomorrow, we head into town for a day off!
-ansel