May 18, 2013
It started about 4 am this morning. It came softly at first, then began to grow harder and stronger. By the time I was packed and ready to hike, the rain had settled into the pure misery mode and I was already soaked.
I started down the path trying to calculate a good plan for the day. Most hikers were staying put in the shelters. The weather report sounded bad for the next week, but especially for the next several days. Today it was to rain. Tomorrow it was to pour. Flood warnings were sounding and hikers were staying put or getting off the trail. My goal was to move on to the next shelter at least and find a spot or get my tent set up.
The trail turned into a downhill mudslide. My glasses fogged up completely in the humidity. The anti-fogging stuff I bought was worthless under these conditions. I'm not going to report my fall coming down the mountain. I will only say that I hobbled out onto a road intersection soaking wet, exhausted, and in pain from a bad ankle twist.
Thanks to a kind neighbor, I was able to make contact with Randy Matney, a friend I had made from my trip to Romania a few years ago. Randy's daughter had thru hiked the AT and he understands the ways of the trail. We were planning on meeting at Sams Gap on Tuesday so he just came and got me a little earlier than expected. I have spent the rest of the day drying out, pampering my ankle, and enjoying hot, home made soup with cornbread. The weather is calling for heavy rains, thunderstorms, and flooding tomorrow. My plan is to nurse my ankle, dry out, and start up fresh Monday morning.
Thanks, Randy! You are a genuine trail angel.
It started about 4 am this morning. It came softly at first, then began to grow harder and stronger. By the time I was packed and ready to hike, the rain had settled into the pure misery mode and I was already soaked.
I started down the path trying to calculate a good plan for the day. Most hikers were staying put in the shelters. The weather report sounded bad for the next week, but especially for the next several days. Today it was to rain. Tomorrow it was to pour. Flood warnings were sounding and hikers were staying put or getting off the trail. My goal was to move on to the next shelter at least and find a spot or get my tent set up.
The trail turned into a downhill mudslide. My glasses fogged up completely in the humidity. The anti-fogging stuff I bought was worthless under these conditions. I'm not going to report my fall coming down the mountain. I will only say that I hobbled out onto a road intersection soaking wet, exhausted, and in pain from a bad ankle twist.
Thanks to a kind neighbor, I was able to make contact with Randy Matney, a friend I had made from my trip to Romania a few years ago. Randy's daughter had thru hiked the AT and he understands the ways of the trail. We were planning on meeting at Sams Gap on Tuesday so he just came and got me a little earlier than expected. I have spent the rest of the day drying out, pampering my ankle, and enjoying hot, home made soup with cornbread. The weather is calling for heavy rains, thunderstorms, and flooding tomorrow. My plan is to nurse my ankle, dry out, and start up fresh Monday morning.
Thanks, Randy! You are a genuine trail angel.
RSS Feed