We were done hiking for the day, our most miserable day thus far
Today, I was miserable beyond comprehension, and I was not alone. I've never seen Cookie this angry at the trail and the weather. You really cannot begin to understand the extent to which misery overtook my day today. I hope to never be this miserable again.
It rained on and off through the night, but mother nature gave me a dry window this morning to pack up and his trail. Cookie and I were walking north at 6:30AM.
After walking along Kent Pond and following a well built bog bridge, the trail began the ascent of Quimby Mountain. This climb would never end, I would crest one hill just to turn and ascend some more land ass that seemingly came out of now where. The top had no view, of course. I've come to expect no less from the ATC. The trail then descended, quite steeply, to Stony Brook Shelter. Cookie passed me at this junction while I was removing an annoying pebble from the bottom of my right shoe. This represented the last moment during today where I was completely dry.
The rain did come with some warning, I heard a rumble of thunder off in the distance. I found my self going up a hill as a thunder storm was chasing me. I ended up sprinting up and over the hill, and even when I was done with the climb I was still running, trying to keep one step ahead of the storm that I knew would eventually catch me. It was only a matter of time. The rain came ten minutes later because I was idiotic and did not even bother putting on my rain jacket.
On a side note, I did see two snakes slither off the trail today. What you must understand is that I hate snakes beyond comprehension, they need to be eliminated. I'll sign the executive order when I'm appointed supreme ruler of the world.
The rest of the day was spent going pointlessly up and down hills that seemed to purposefully be in my way just to tick me off. Please keep in mind that it's still raining and that I'm still soaked. It was at this point that I realized I was completely miserable, I had my lunch break at Winturri Shelter on my mind. Just before the shelter there was a ferocious climb that caught me completely off guard. You bet I had a few choice words for the venerable GMC.
At the shelter I changed out of my completely soaked shirt into a completely dry one and proceeded to eat lunch. At the shelter was Bump and one other section hiker, along with Barefodder, who is a NOBO thru hiker packing for missions.
Cookie and I then had a pow-wow to discuss our options for the day. He came to the realization that he was completely miserable and did not want to hike anymore, and neither did I. We were done hiking for the day, our most miserable day thus far on the ENTIRE Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Tonight I am at the shelter with two section hikers from Vermont along with Cookie. A few minutes ago a trip of female SOBO section hikers rolled in.
Why bother trying to guess where I'm going to end up tomorrow, it's fruitless guessing and I will most likely be wrong.
Slowly but sure walking home.
Good night and good luck.
Kirby
Ga>ME 2008.
