Day 2

Origin: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Destination: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Today's miles: 7.7
Total miles: 16.8

Last night was a little rough. The rain was unrelenting and the interior of the tent got a little damp. Neither of us slept very much. It sounds like we did better than most, though, as many got soaked. We were very slow to pack up camp, leaving second to last at 11am. After hearing that tonight's forecast included thunder showers, I decided to push the pace to get to the next shelter before it filled up. I left Magge in my dust and passed a number of hikers, but to no avail. Despite showing up at the shelter at 2:30, it was already full. I decided to push to another campsite two miles farther, but after about half a mile, it started to rain and I double backed to the shelter. I figured that at least we could store our gear under the roof to keep it dry.

I set up the tent in the pouring rain and watched the tent site fill up with a puddle in about 10 minutes. All the other tent sites were even worse. I went back to the shelter and claimed the picnic table for Magge to sleep on, so that at least one of us could be comfortable. Magge pulled in 45 minutes later, soaking wet and upset because she had lost her raincoat. The day was not shaping up to be a smashing success.

30 minutes later, a hiker showed up with Magge's coat and our luck was turning. Two people in the shelter decided to leave and we took their spots. Then it stopped raining (and hasn't started again, so far). Then I dominated some youngsters at hackey sack. After one of Magge's Martha Stewart meals, we're feeling good.

We've got a big day tomorrow - about 16 miles with a tough, 5 mile climb. The payoff is a hot shower.