Date: 2017-06-06
From: Racebrook Falls Campsite

To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: broken clouds

6/6Days Inn Great Barrington 9.8 milesThunder rumbled. The rain increased in volume until it was physically slapping the tent. The site did indeed flood. My tent floor proved to be only semi-waterproof. It was wet to the touch underneath my sleeping pad but the water level inside the tent didn't rise. Not sure it would stay that way, I shoved nearly everything not involved with sleeping back into the backpack. I set the pack up on top of my crocs so it wouldn't be sitting in a puddle. With particularly vigorous volleys I could feel condensation splattering onto my face from the ceiling of the tent. Not restful. Not great for my down bag. I tried putting my rain skirt over the foot of my bag and my raincoat over the rest. Oddly, since the skirt is not breathable but the raincoat is, the skirt seemed to work better than the jacket. I would have thought the bag would get have gotten damp under the skirt from my body moisture, but it was only getting damp under the jacket. I removed the jacket and counted on my body heat to keep the bag dry despite spatters. Eventually the storm died down, and I could sleep well. I slept until an astonishing 8:30 - twelve hours in the sack. I'm assuming the first few restless hours didn't really count. I decided it was a good morning for coffee. My stove chose today to be finicky but eventually I had hot water. I ate all of the blueberry strudel that I had intended to be two to three breakfasts. Mmm, strudel. No big problem as I was walking into another town today. By the time I stuffed my wet, filthy tent (the screening being coated with mud and leaves thanks to the storm) and hiked back up the side trail, it was ten AM. Talk about your late starts. But I knew I was only going about ten miles so I didn't fret. Despite the adventures with condensation and the filthy tent, I'm glad I stopped where I did last night. It took me two hours to get over the mountain between me and the next shelter this morning. After a night's sleep, in good light, with no rain. Doing it last night probably would have put me at the shelter at eight, soaked and exhausted. And maybe a little battered. I don't think I would have liked being up there in a storm. The rain today held off until immediately after I descended from Jug End. Excellent timing. I was still bedraggled by the time I got to the road into town, but it was far better and safer to walk in the rain on dirt trail than on steep rocks. I started walking into town without trying to hitch, figuring that nobody would want my wet, muddy self in their vehicle. So I was surprised when somebody pulled over and hollered to ask if I wanted a ride. He had attempted a thruhike a few years ago, which explains his willingness to let a soaking wet stranger into his vehicle. He ferried me to the Days Inn. I thanked him sincerely for the trail magic. This is a really brief stop for me. I went to Manhattan Pizza for dinner, where Old Growth was at the next table.  We talked a little after our meals. I said I was going to carry out my leftovers to the trail. "Yes, you have two pieces. But let's be honest, they won't make it past ten PM. " said Old Growth. I had to laugh. As it happens, I think the pizza will survive until morning, but may not make it out of town. Returning to the environs of the Days Inn, I picked up some supplies at CVS and I think that will do me. Well, that and a hot shower and a soft bed.