A Stormy Night
Surprisingly, I slept pretty well last night, despite the god-awful rain and wind that thrashed the tent all night long. The whole shelter was swaying above me, and I genuinely prayed it wouldn’t collapse on my head. Earplugs were my savior – at least I got some sleep. What did surprise me, though, was that there wasn’t as much condensation inside the tent this time. Maybe it was because it was absolutely pouring outside all night, so the moisture just “stayed out.”
Rain Without End
In the morning, I seized a brief lull in the rain to quickly pack my gear. But before I could even get the tent stowed, the downpour returned. So, I spent another hour waiting for it to stop, which was a bit of a futile hope. 😂 Today’s rain was somehow even worse than yesterday’s. But the day did get a little brighter with a morning visitor who really made my day.
Shelter in a Hut
After packing up, we moved to a larger shelter where we waited out the morning. Around 2 PM, we finally got assigned a hut – a small, cozy “box” with beds and a stove that runs on gas, not wood. 😂 The hut had a decent view, though the rain outside definitely dulled the atmosphere.
We’re staying in the hut until tomorrow morning. I’m sharing it with a guy named Ryan, whom I know from previous stops. Later, Candy and Mousee (or however that’s spelled?) joined us. Mousee has already covered the same distance we’ve done in two days and has completed the entire CDT (Continental Divide Trail). Quite an inspiring person!
In the hut, we all had the same agenda – heating up, drying gear, and charging electronics. The plan for the evening was simple: head out to the local “mall” for dinner. But how do you get out there without getting completely soaked? There’s a simple recipe for that:
- Sandals, no socks
- Thermal pants for sleeping
- Waterproof pants
- Sun hoodie, down jacket, and rain shell
- Winter hat
“Armed” like this, I set out. And that last meal outside before heading back to the hut? Totally worth it!
Daily Summary
- Miles Today: 0 miles.
- Total PCT Distance Remaining: Still 2,626 miles to go.
- Highlight of the Day: Rain, wind, and the first “trail hut.” The trail family is growing!
