Date: 2013-06-18
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: moderate rain

The rain fell throughout the night. I woke up at 6, but I didn't get out of my sleeping bag until 6:30. The rain held off for a little bit, so we were able to have a civilized breakfast at the picnic table rather than sitting in the mud like you'd normally have to. It drizzle a bit, but luckily, it didn't get heavier than that for a bit. We headed down to the camp store, and Redspecs treated me to a large cup of freshly brewed coffee. Too bad we weren't a little later or else we could have had breakfast at a nearby wayside restaurant!It was a cool overcast morning. Everything was lush and wet. My dry boots got wetter and wetter as I walked through the tall wet grasses. Redspecs wanted to stop for a morning break, but I said that I don't normally stop for breaks. I'm not sure if this is going to be a permanent or semi-permanent hiking partnership, but I don't want to start hiking someone else's hike. So we weren't sure if we would end up at the same spot this evening. I guess time will tell.I stopped at an overlook to over look (and also to pee). It was clear when I arrived, but by the time I stood back up and turned around, the view was fading into a solid white cloud. It took less than 30 seconds and the whole vista was socked in. Impressive! The rain started as I climbed down Weaver Mountain. It was light at first. I stood under a tree hoping that the rain would pass. But it soon became apparent that it wasn't to be. I decided to keep hiking. About a quarter mile later I found Redspecs hiding under a tree as well. We at snack bars, but the rain just kept coming down. I was starting to get cold, so we kept moving. The rain continued as we came into Simmon's Gap. We hiked .2 miles down to a Ranger's Station. We were hoping to find a dry place to have lunch and maybe an electrical outlet to charge our phones. There was a tiny covered doorway, so we set our bags down, and I sat on the stoop. Redspecs when to knock on doors, he's fearless like that. Unfortunately, I kicked up an ant bed and spent the rest of lunch swatting and squishing ants as they crawled all over me and my gear. It was not to be a rejuvenating lunch.I set off before Redspecs after lunch. I had planned to hike past the shelter. The trees were dripping and the woods were thick with fog. It look so much like a tropical rainforest than I ever imagined a place in Virginia could look. Redspecs caught up with me to give me a weather forecast update. The rain was supposed to continue throughout the evening and perhaps get worse. Ugh. His glasses were fogging up, and he asked if he could follow behind me. I said, of course. I didn't want to set my tent up in the rain, so we decided we would both head towards the shelter and hope there would be space. The Hightop Shelter was SLAMMED! There was a large group (perhaps 40) Boy Scouts from Ohio, as well as another thru-hiker (Freebird) and three section hikers. Luckily, there was space in the shelter. Ironically enough, the rain stopped as soon as we got to the shelter and there wasn't another drop for the rest of the night. And actually, the sun came out! But everything was wet. The Boy Scouts built a fire, and we tried in vain to dry our boots and socks and clothes. Everyone sat around the picnic table and fire and chatted for a bit. Then the non-Boy Scouts retreated into the shelter to sleep, and the Boy Scouts continued chatting around the fire. They were very curious and their leaders urged the boys to be considerate and not talk to loud. I was really impressed by their consideration. I put my earplugs in anyway. Shelters seem to breed snorers.