Day 15 – Racing in the Rain… Lost big time!

Miles hiked today 17.7. Total miles 194.7.

Let me tell you last night was a hoot! The campground was a small city. There were probably 40 hikers in all. The campfire was high and people set around telling funny stories. Papa Smurf broke out one of the Jiffy Pop popcorn shaky things and the hilarity ensued. The young kids had never seen them and had no idea how they worked- so the old fogey stepped in and showed them how it was done.

I met two very nice young women and had some great conversation.

Bartender – Girl On Fire – Toothpaste. Yes my trail name is Girl On Fire. It was given to me buy a number of people – I think it’s going to stick.

Now on to today. Started hiking by 7:10a trying to beat the rain. Lost that race.

Started raining around 10:30a and rained for the next 4 1/2 hours. Finally it quit raining allowing my pants to dry, only to start raining right before we made camp.

This was the trail today.

MISERABLE

Yep miserable was what I was 95% of today. Cold, wet, filthy, covered in mud. My shoes are soaked. They are also covered in mud. Will be a joy to put them on in the morning.

This picture was taken when my pants were dry – they got wet again.

The trail was a complete mess. Very, very slippery and dangerous in spots. I can’t say it was a joy walking today, even though we made over 17 miles. When it’s raining there’s nothing to do but walk.

The above picture is from my App AT hiker. I look at it to see where we are and how far we have to go – 3/10 miles to get to the shelter. Nothing has ever taken so long in my life. And of course it was uphill.

Made it to the shelter and of course it was raining by the time we got there. Set up the tent, ate dinner and was in bed by 7:30p. Forecast calls for snow.

Staying warm,