Date: 2018-04-27
From: Unaka Mt Road camp

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

The forecast said the rain would let up by 9am and I determined to stay in my tent until that happened. I could see from under my vestibule that the rain cloud we have been living in since yesterday had still not cleared. Ibex had gotten up early and broke down her tent and announced she was leaving and I knew I couldn¢t wait forever so I reluctantly started piecing my things together. I got out of my dry sleepwear and picked up my soaking wet boxers, opened the tent door and actually wrung out my underwear before putting them back on. I did the same with my socks and stepped into the squishy soles of my trail runners and looked around at the dense fog surrounding me. The rain wasn¢t falling hard but just enough to completely annoy me while I packed up. I also had to answer the call of nature and hated every minute of digging a cat hole in the trees and then fumbling with wet toilet paper. By the time I had packed up all my wet gear, my hands were numb and I was carrying at least 5 extra pounds of water weight throughout my pack.Of course the day began with an ascent and I silently endured the climb over the top of Unaka Mt. The trail was totally waterlogged and any hope I had of getting my feet dry was counteracted by inches of standing water and mud underneath. Eventually I topped the forested summit (actually really cool but was in no fucking mood) and began down the trail on the other side. At some point before Cherry Gap Shelter, the sun actually started to shine through the impenetrable cloud cover. By the time I walked in to the camp, there was even a sliver of blue sky and I found ibex and glow stick waiting there with a campfire to boot! I took the opportunity to get everything wet out of my pack and hastily string my tent over some nearby tree branches. In the half hour I spent there, I was able to half dry my tent and warm myself by the fire. The sky seemed to be clearing and the clouds were thinning above while I ate enthusiastically from my food bag. With another 9 plus miles ahead, the three of us repacked our gear and set out again, this time with a renewed weather outlook and attitude.The second half of the day was mostly sunny and the change in weather did wonders for our collective mood. We made quick work of the first 3 miles and stopped briefly at a road gap to rest and have a drink. We collectively bemoaned how little trail magic we had experienced in the last couple weeks and agreed that the terrible weather was mostly to blame. Surely we will see sunnier days ahead along with more trail angels dispensing freebies. I was the first of us to roll into Clyde smith shelter and I quickly pulls out my wet gear again to take advantage of the sunny late afternoon and warmer temps. Tab was already at the shelter and I chatted with bear box, French toast and preacher while waiting for the girls to get in. Eventually, we all got settled and dried and even got a campfire going despite the soaked wood laying around. I had been carrying two IPAs since Erwin that I wasn¢t inclined to drink last night but gladly divested the weight down my gullet tonight. Temps are supposed to be cool but mild tonight and we are all finally dry (minus maybe the inside of my shoes). Hoping for 15+ miles tomorrow and the weather looks sunny and clear.