Date: 2015-05-31
From: Greenwood Lake

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter 
Miles today: 18.0

Another rough day. We got back on to the shelter about 8.30am, but I hiked so slowly that I didn't finish until 6.15, and I had only done 18 miles. The taxi also took us to the wrong section so accidentally cut off a couple miles of the trail. I would have been more concerned about that if I hadn't had to walk that far into town yesterday.There were several reasons for my slow hiking. Firstly, my various injuries. It really hurts to walk on my blister, even with padding it as much as I could and with painkillers. Secondly, there were more rocky climbs over giant boulders and rocky ridgelines. Finally, the weather. It started off humid but not sunny. It rained extremely heavily multiple times, and got colder throughout the day. But still each time I had to put my rain gear on, because the rain made me cold, and then take it off when I got too hot once the rain stopped. The heavy rain soaked my feet and ruined all my blister protection. It also stripped my bug spray, so I had to apply it three times because the mosquitoes were going crazy over me whenever they could. In the afternoon, we had an incredible thunderstorm and downpour. It was some of the heaviest rain I have ever experienced, exactly the kind that causes flash floods. Although in previous updates I have described how the trail becomes a river in the rain- well this time it was like a raging river that had broken its banks. It was absolutely furious at times, and the rainfall was so loud and heavy that I couldn't hear my iPod. I saw quite a few day hikers heading in the opposite direction, towards the car park. They were soaked, but at least they would be able to dry out soon. I still had hours to go.I came to the section called the "Lemon Squeezer" during the storm. It has some massive boulders. Beneath, a couple were in swimming costumes taking photos. At least their clothing seemed more suitable than my sopping rain gear. The Lemon Squeezer gets its name from a very tight section about 10foot long, which gets narrower as you walk along. The rain was pouring down the sides of the rocks, and my pack got stuck. I spent a few moments fruitlessly trying to pull it out, but had to get out of the straps and lift it up in the end. I wish it hadn't been raining so badly, so that I could have taken a picture. I then had to scale some ridiculous rocks. I actually took the trail that said "easy way" because there would have been no possible way for me to do the regular hard climb when the rocks were all waterfalls. The easy way was still a challenge.The thunder was as loud and terrifying as ever, with a few flashes of lightning. I got off lightly though, as I wasn't on a ridgeline. I learned later that Archangel was nearly struck by lightning for the second time, and was found collapsed on the trail by an extremely relieved Sunshine. Archangel said that his legs had gone completely numb. The trail itself was also annoying because sometimes the blazes are difficult to see, and I've gotten lost or stuck the past few days because I just couldn't find the rest of the trail. The absence of clear springs or water is also a problem. The shelters around here don't have any privies either, and the one I'm staying in tonight is pretty dire. However, there are some vigilant trail angels around here. I've noticed a few big milk jugs of clean water near road sides which have been a big help. There was also a mostly empty cooler of food, but I managed to have a tiny muffin and a peach. Today often seemed like an endless slog up and down through the rain or humidity. Tomorrow I only have to do 10 miles to get into town, however it is expected to rain then as well. It's started raining heavily again now, with thunder murmuring in the distance. The rain is pouring down the stone walls inside the shelter. I'm dreading having to put my wet things and especially my wet shoes on. I think tomorrow I'm going to stay at a motel and take a nero the next day. I really need a proper break, otherwise I'm afraid just going to get slower and slower each day. I'm at the shelter with Lorax and Sunshine. Archangel hiked on into town. Sunshine keeps joking that he hopes he dies in the night, because his sleeping bag got wet and everything he is wearing is wet. The thunderstorm is coming down hard and loud overhead, and I just saw some lightning. I really hope that this sketchy shelter can keep me dry. I am also glad the others are with me here because this is like a horror movie setting.