Day 47: Back to Hiking

Pancakes for breakfast and sleepy faces all round. People packed up all through the morning and left at different times. We four made it out by 10:30 after taking a few photos with the Captain and transferring all our packs over the stream. Xan thought it would be a good idea to try to launch his hiking pole over the stream like a javelin. It fell short and began to float away. I tried to loop it with one of my hiking poles on the "throw to" side, but just barely missed. Xan was forced to leap in the water dramatically and save it. Crowd pleaser. Being an idiot sometimes makes you a hero in our world...




So! We were back on the road!! Xan was a bit damp, but feeling good. It was hot, and there were a LOT of steep climbing all day, but we all felt pretty good. Took a break at a view point that was really nice.




More walking walking walking. Huge, long climb up to Kelly's Knob just as the sky was getting dramatic. It was definitely raining in a few places out there, and it could be headed our way. Beautiful beautiful skies!! Left Field and Little Foot caught me there.

Xan and Brian were ahead, but we didn't catch up to them until the Laurel Creek shelter. They were going to press on to camp a few miles away and I was game to join after a short break. They left, and I snacked with Achilles and Left Field. As we were packing up to follow them, it began to sprinkle. We three thought about it. Then we decided to stay put. The sun would be going down in 30 minutes and a storm was coming. We hunkered down and it started to pour. We were hoping the guys had made it to a campsite by then, but we were pretty sure they were getting soaked. Unlucky. I guess we will get the story tomorrow!

The rest of the night was spent stsying dry, hanging out, eating and listening to music on Left Field's speakers. Nice and chill. And so happy to have remained dry. TC and Indigo showed up soaking wet in the dark. Soooo glad I managed to avoid the wet. We'll catch the boys tomorrow.

(18.2)


-- Posted from the trail...

Location:Laurel Creek Shelter