Day 8

Mountain flowers on a rainy day in the Smokeys

Day 8: RAIN!

Woke up this morning to drumming on the tin roof of the shelter. I was very happy to find that the shelter was very water tight. Every once in a while, a drop would find its way down but for the most part we are all happy to be inside + dry. For some odd reason we all broke camp way early. I think we were ready to go at about 8. We've been out at 8:30-9: every morning but today I think everyone wants to finish this hike like tearing off a band-aid. Started out with full rain gear + fleece. About 3 steps in it was time to drop the fleece. 2 miles in and I'm down to my smartwool shirt + hiking pants. I love my smartwool shirt! Paul and I ripped through the trail, disappointed every time we crest a ridge to find ourselves inside a cloud. We're moving fast enough that I'm comfortable in the shirt + my hat. We stopped for lunch at the trailhead to the shelter and in between stops. Paul and I arrived about an hour before our dads would arrive. We got cold slowly + started wearing more + more clothes. Finally, Paul made up some oatmeal for a bit of warmth. After an hour, we left our packs and started South on the trail to find out where our Dads had gone to. Found them 2.5 minutes into our backtrack, Paul's dad sitting down on a step in the middle of the trail. We lead them down to where our packs were + had some lunch. Following our recharge, we rocketed back into step all the way to Tricorner Knob shelter. Been hanging out w/ a good crew. 2 old guys from Bama, 3 Michiganders, the rabbit + the tortoise. There are a few others here too. A foreign couple, 2 thru kids and 4 club reps, one of whom is an annoying bitch. This shelter is packed. The foreign kids are going to sleep on Dad's tarp on the floor. Paul + I beat the Mich kids at euchre and then Dad and I ate Ramen + Mountain House. He and Mr. Mines arrived about two hours after Paul and I. Tomorrow, we will hike 14 miles to Davenport shelter. Paul + Mr. Mines will leave at the Cosby campsite. I hope for better weather tomorrow although the clouds broke for a few minutes this afternoon with spectacular views. 2nd to last day in the smokies.

*It rained at least once on more than half of the days I was on the trail last year. Most of the time we’d get an afternoon or evening storm; it rained so regularly that it was almost weird when we had a dry afternoon. Waking up to rain on the shelter or your tent roof isn’t entirely motivating as you know that you’ll be some degree of moist for the next 12 hours or so. After a few days of rain in a row you wind up just getting used to being damp and that becomes the norm. For rain gear on this trip I had packed a pack cover, rain paints, rain jacket and my sleeping system was stored in a hefty garbage bag. I wore the rain pants one time (this particular day) and discovered that the sweat I worked up inside the nylon was 10 times worse than the cool rain and I was getting wet regardless. I’d say that the pants were my most worthless possession. Smartwool shirts are INCREDIBLE. They’re cool when it’s hot, warm when it’s cool and continue to feel great even when soaked 100% through. If you ever plan on camping, you need one of these shirts. Paul’s Dad was hurting during our long hike this day. Not only were the conditions miserable, he was carrying way too much gear. Paul and I felt bad leaving our Dads behind but we found it taxing to walk at such a slow pace. Although my Dad and I were not together during this day, it was incredibly valuable for our trip and our relationship. He had come to understand my frustrations at the beginning of the trip and I had come to appreciate his initial pace and how much he had improved during the course of the first week. I think it’s awesome that Mr. Mines was able to make it out for the weekend and in spite of his heavy load, I’m pretty sure he had a great time.