It was a rough day. The morning started out okay. The mist was lifting and the sun was breaking through the clouds. Warthog and I were lucky to dry out our tent before leaving camp. It was still chilly, but sunny and chilly is by far better than rainy and chilly.
I wore my thermal long johns and rain gear. My t-shirt was still wet from Tuesday, but dried out quick enough. I was glad for new, dry socks.
For some reason I was exhausted today. My body felt slow and weak. I think it was because yesterday I tried to conserve food, considering we hadn’t planned on the zero day in the woods. I’m realizing the effect caloric intake really has on me. Headaches and exhaustion are not fun when you have serious mileage to hike.
Other than being tired, the first twelve miles flew by. At mile eight, we took our lunch and sat on a large boulder – the kind where our feet would be able to hang down without touching the ground. The rest of the group walked by then and we convinced them to join us for a bit.
At mile twelve, we stopped by a shelter that is technically closed down. Apparently there are too many trees in the area at risk of falling down. It didn’t stop people from using it though. There was a small fire built, so we decided to take a break there. While there, the rain started again. It took a while to build up the courage to go back out in it. Finally, we moved. The last four miles were not enjoyable. Warthog says it was his lowest day on the trail so far. He accidentally submerged his feet twice in rivers. Everyone was wet. The rivers and streams are so flooded that it’s near impossible to go over them without dunking your feet. However, my shoes will dry out in a day or two at most. With his GoreTex boots, it could be half of a week for Warthog. Since the forecast calls for more rain, he doesn’t have a lot of hope for dry boots. No one drags a boot warmer to the forest, so he’s out of luck.
It was almost 8p by the time we reached camp, cold, tired, and wet. It was a low day for everyone, particularly the afternoon part. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny. We are banking on that to be able to dry out clothes. Most of us are either already out or are almost out of clean, dry clothes. Everything is soaked. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was warm, but it’s been awfully chilly.
I’m on my 20″x72″ island again, hoping not to get wet. But glad to at least have that much that is dry.
It’s 10:03p now. Dinner was devoured, family has been checked in with, my journal entry is written. I’m ready for bed. But first, I have to brave the cold one last time for a bathroom break. Yeah, the last hit for an already low day.
-ansel