Date: 2015-08-15
From: Rutland

To: churchill Scott shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

I almost got hit by lightning today. But first-The nice folks at the holiday inn shuttled us back to the trailhead. They go to the airport for guests - which is close to the trailhead- so lucky us! The skies were clear, temps were perfect, but showers were in the forecast for later. This forecast was from a guest in the lobby, not one we confirmed. I really needed the computer at this hotel- that is the main reason we came in so soon off of a town stay. The Tampa Bay Times is writing a story about my fundraiser and I had to get more info to them than I am capable of producing on my phone. Got all of that done- now time to hike.In the hike today was a long climb up Killington Mountain. A 7.2 mile ascent- elevation gain of 2538. The mountain is just under 4000 feet. On the way to this climb, we would pass a marker saying that there were 500 miles to go to Katahdin. I was excited for the day- though my stomach was still a little iffy from the mild food poisoning the day before. C.Shell had it worse- but in the end we all piled in the van and headed out.We were about 6 miles in when we came across a family set up for trail magic! They had burgers, dogs, sodas, beer. They call themselves the Cold River Crew. They have been doing it for about 10 years- once a year. Our lucky day. They told the first of two Baltimore Jack stories I heard today. They said 9 years ago he came through while they were set up. He hung out with them all day long and they enjoyed each others company. A few months later, they get a package in the mail. Baltimore Jack had carved a wooden plaque that had Cold River Gang on it. Nice! They were a great family, had nice dogs to pet (I miss my dogs!!) and a little cutie named Liza who was having a ball handing out their card and swimming in the creek- which was cold- as the name promises.After this great break and surprise- it was time to climb. Killington was not a terrible climb. There were a few steep climbs, but it was switchbacked. It was in the woods. There was one view, which I hiked past, waiting for the summit. (There is a lesson for me here somewhere) it was interesting how trees in some places grew sideways, instead of vertical. They were the rebel trees, declaring they were sticking with the grade of the earth instead of reaching for the sky. I sat at the shelter for a minute, debating whether or not I wanted to hike the 0.2 uphill to the summit. Clouds were rolling in. In hindsight, I should have left the pack at the shelter and ran up, but I started going up with my pack. Thunder boomed- I hesitated- then went down. So my summit picture is a picture of the sign pointing to the summit. Oh well!I started down and the trail became steep and rocky. Still very beautiful. Then the thunder got closer, and the rain started. This was a drenching cold rain. I kept hiking and was soaked in seconds. Except for my feet in my water proof boots. I passed the trail leading to Pico Camp- 1/2 mile away- and mistakenly thought it was the shelter 1.9 from the road leading to the Innat The Long Trail- our meeting place today. I decided to move on. The rain became heavier, the trail was a torrent of rushing water. The Lightning seemed like it was getting closer and I was beginning to regret not going for the shelter. Then it happened. My world went white light- a boom so big so loud so bright- right in front of me. One of my poles was thrown from my hand several feet behind me. I felt the sensation through my body. I screamed a horror movie worthy scream. I looked for my pole, picked it up and I felt the current coursing through my hands gripping the rubber handles. My arms felt tingly- my wet hair stood up. I was totally freaked out and RAN down the trail. I was breathing hard, trying not to fall, and realized I was in ankle deep water. I saw a tree growing sideways- a big fat one- and I ran to it and huddled under it. I put on my rain jacket to warm up and sat there for 20 minutes or so. The thunder and lightning just seemed to stick around- though no bolts came that close again. Eventually, I left my rebel protector tree and headed down the trail. I moved quickly. Never again on this trail will I say- meh-what are the chances I'll get hit- and hike through a lightning storm. 5 steps ahead of where I was and I would have been a goner. I made it to the Churchill Scott Shelter and decided to stay. The rain was still coming down, I was cold and freaked out, and I needed to be dry. Two guys were in the shelter- a section hiker called Big Mike and a career hiker called TrackR.TrackR told me the second Baltimore Jack story of the day. Years ago, they were camping and partying together and he and another guy moved Jacks tent, dug a gigantic hike under it, then replaced the tent. When Baltimore Jack went to bed that night, he fell in the hole. TrackR laughed uproariously as he told this story, which was even funnier because he first said- don't talk to me about Baltimore Jack- which i believes translates to - I have a million better stories tun any you have heard. He said he was a through-hiker- meaning through with hiking, but he looked pretty cozy. The other guy, Big Iron, said he was a LASH- a long ass section hiker. We each had about 4 feet of floor space to ourselves, but Big Iron was a tornado roller a rounder and about 2 by 2 in the morning his pad had shimmied 4 feet over until he was right next to me. He woke up, apologized, and shimmied back. Interesting day!