Date: 2010-05-02
From: Wood's Hole Hostel

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept well last night, but not long after I fell asleep it started pouring. We were all sleeping under a tin roof and it rained so hard it sounded like a freight train rolling overhead. It rained a few more times throughout the night which made me glad to be dry. I decided to skip breakfast to save some money so I was able to sleep in till eight and around ten we were shuttled back up to the trail head where we were all slackpacking to Pearisburg.The day started out quite humid and the first little climb, although not too difficult had me sweating like crazy! The leaves and bushes around us trapped in the moisture from the rain the night before and the day was forecasted to be around ninety so I knew the weather would only get worse. Fortunately the hike to Pearisburg was fairly flat and once we hit the ridgelines a breeze made things much more comfortable. The air was very thick and heavy and as you looked out to the nearby mountains, you could see the moisture.Once we reached Angel's Rest we knew we just had a few miles left and it was all downhill so Scout, Cornpatch, and I ran most of the way and made it to Pearisburg very quick and the first thing we did was go to Dairy Queen for some cold drinks.Scout's mom was meeting him at DQ where a few of his friends were meeting up with him to hike to the next town. They ended up taking us to town and treating me to lunch, and before they set out I helped some of the guys pack their packs up. It wasn't until five before we finally headed out of town. We only had around 7 miles left to hike, but it still meant getting in near dark and with the weather conditions I was surprised I made it before dark. The hike was hell! The 1700 foot climb was very steep, my pack was very heavy, and it was incredibly hot and muggy! The climb was torturous and I believe the conditions made it the worse climb I have yet had on the trail. I could only imagine how Scout's friends felt if this was the worse I had felt they must have been dying and wondering if this was what the AT was always like. My thoughts were confirmed when one of his friends decided to head right back down the same 6.8 miles we had just climbed. I guess hiking isn't for everyone.We ended up getting to the shelter as it was getting dark and it was disheartening to find out the water source was a trickle almost a half mile downhill. It was pretty much pitch black by the time I got to the shelter. The shelter was a seven person shelter and there was six people there, all section hikers but us so I asked if they could make room for one more and one of the guys told me that he didn't think there was any room and when I asked if the dogs could sleep at the feet he said he didn't think that would work. He then proceeded to express his concern about whether or not my dog was sleeping in the shelter and was very happy to hear that no, she wasn't. I told him I was worried about it raining tonight since my tent has been leaking and then he told me it was supposed to be warm. When I asked him what he meant he said it was ok if I got wet tonight because it was supposed to be warm and i'd survive. He proceeded to explain that they had to hike with wet shoes the other day and they were just fine so I would be fine too if I got wet tonight. Despite seeing that there was plenty of room for more people I decided I didn't want to sleep in the shelter with them after all and ended up setting up my tent... it rained all night.