Date: 2017-06-05
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Racebrook Falls Campsite
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

6/5Racebrook Falls tentsite11.4 milesI awoke from luxurious sleep. The mattress had memory foam or something in it. It was pretty warm to sleep on, but my goodness it was comfortable. I wanted to roll it up and take it with me. I checked the weather and saw that the predicted thunderstorms would be delayed until the afternoon, but after they started it would rain for days. I decided to pack up and go. It made no sense to spend the small amount of rain free time in town when I knew it would rain tomorrow. I packed my gear then headed downstairs. I had not been social last night so I didn't know that Maria slept in until 9. But Highlander and Wade knew the scoop. We made a companionable breakfast together. Wade scrambled eggs, I toasted bread, and Highlander heated water for coffee and poured juice. I took my many pills and added half an Imitrex for the migraine blossoming behind my left temple. Leaving early meant sacrificing my second day's payment to Maria, but I didn't want to wait around for a refund. Ah well. The bed *was* really comfortable. I've paid far more for far worse sleep. I walked down the road to the cemetery. I decided that walking through it would be safer and more pleasant than the highway, and I could pick up the AT on the other side. I was right. It was very pleasant. When I got to the base of the first mountain, my legs protested. They burned. I wondered why I felt so tired. But I moved slowly up the mountain, stopping often. A trail runner stopped to tell me how proud of me he was for thruhiking. He seemed to feel fatherly about it, and I took his words in gratefully. Soon Highlander and Wade passed me, and then Mona Lisa and another hiker whose name I should have written down. In the distance I heard a large group of children. I can't imagine what possessed the adults to take these kids hiking on this cool, foggy day with severe weather looming. The kids were being typical oblivious kids, and I had to ask repeatedly to get by as they stood blocking the trail while in their own little worlds. Finally reaching the summit, I descended down steep, slippery rocks, frequently sliding down on my butt.  At the second shelter I stopped for lunch and found Highlander and Wade. I told them to hold me a spot at Hemlocks, then reconsidered and said I'd camp if I got tired. They left as I was getting food out. I started feeling more energized and realized that the Imitrex had probably caused my morning fatigue. It's treacherous stuff. It works wonders on migraines, but the side effects are problematic. Fortunately my headache stayed small, and I enjoyed the strength surging back into my legs as the drug wore off. Sage's Ravine was a delight, with waterfalls and mossy boulders being tremendously scenic. I crossed the stream and headed up Race Mountain. As I climbed higher it got colder and darker. I observed goosebumps on my arms, so I rolled down my sleeves and pulled on my raincoat. I immediately felt warmer as the coat held warmth in, and I could focus more on my surroundings. The fog was so thick that it looked like a white wall at the edge of the mountain. The wind blew harder and I kept away from the edge as I staggered. The trail was exposed for half a mile. It was a thrilling experience to be up there in that weather. Not truly dangerous, but invigorating. Nonetheless I was glad when the trail dropped down into the trees. It was hours until sunset but it had gotten very dark. I knew the rain was finally approaching. I reached the Racebrook Falls trail and the base of Mt Everett at 5. I chose to leave that steep mountain for the morning and headed down the side trail to the campsite there. It would have been nice to have company, and keep my gear more dry, but not nice enough to deal with that mountain just then. Unsurprisingly, I was the only camper at the site. There was a bear box, which was nice! No need to hang my food. There was also a nice privy, with some toilet paper, even.  And some very nice tent platforms which I couldn't use with this tent. I set up my tent in a flat spot which would undoubtedly flood when it rained. Then I realized I hadn't seen water. I put my food in the bearbox, put everything else in the tent, and consulted my map. Water showed a little way further down the trail, so I picked up my pole and headed down. I found the water and then hiked back up the hill in drizzle. I retrieved my food and ate a quick dinner as the rain picked up, them stowed the bag again and climbed into the tent to get organized. A check of the phone showed surprisingly good cell coverage, so I spent some time texting my husband as the rain continued to get harder. I know I'll have to do everything in the rain in the morning. I'm already horribly aware how dry the privy is inside, and how disgusting it would be to eat breakfast in it, but I confess that it's tempting. I'll probably eat in the tent, which isn't a great idea in bear territory. But I strongly doubt that bears will be visiting this spot in the torrent at breakfast time. I haven't  seen a bear in a hundred miles, anyway. Tomorrow I'll probably spend the night in Great Barrington. It's only ten miles away, but it will seem pretty appealing after a day hiking in rain. And I think I'll need to get a little more food to get me to Dalton, and Laurie. Probably ought to re-evaluate before I buy anything, though.. I've been dining on town meals and my supplies haven't diminished much.