Date: 2012-06-12
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Camped along the trail
Miles today: 23.1

When I woke I couldn't tell if it was still raining or if it was the wind blowing the rain off the leaves onto the tent. One look outside I decided it was both. I guess my biggest decision that morning was to put on my only pair of dry socks and risk them becoming soaked or put the cold wet socks back on. I voted for dry socks and they felt good for the first mile or so. The rain kept up for another hour or so it may have been raining for 24 hours. My tent was soaked, my pants, socks, boots. My packed felt like it was loaded down with cement blocks with all the wet gear but it was my last full day of hiking and the next day I would be in Waynesboro to dry out and resupply. While hiking up Three Ridge Mountain I spotted a turtle or I should say he spotted me. I just love taking photos of turtles. Like me they don't move too fast. I even managed to catch up with a few thru-hikers who had been days ahead of me. It was fun catching up with them. Sort of like a family reunion. The sun came out and I was contemplating setting up my tent at lunch time and letting the sun dry it out. I met a solo southbound hiker who told me of a timber rattler on the trail. I asked where and he said "oh about 200 feet on the right, you can miss it, its just chillin" When I came up on the rattler I was amazed at its size. I think this may be the biggest of the three I've seen thus far. After that I met two southbound section hikes, coach V and Craig and they warned me that there were some tough miles ahead with many slippery rocks. Both men had fallen numerous times and i decided against setting up my tent and instead pressed on so I could take my time on the rocks. They were not joking. The trail was mostly rocks and they were in the shade so the sun hadn't dried them. The first time I fell I went down on my right knee ad cursed myself for rushing along. The second time I fell on the same knee and I slowed to a pace that the turtle would have passed me. Again I was blessed not to injure myself. Once out of the trail of slippery rocks I was treated to a spectacular view of the valley below from Cedar Cliffs. I watch as a thunderstorm passed North ahead of me and I sat in the sun and let it partially dry my gear. I was hoping to camp on the North side of Humpback Mountain but when I saw it was almost 5:00 PM I gave up on that notion. My right knee was a little puffy and I wasn't going to press it. My plan B was to hike till I find a decent campsite which will still put me in Waynesboro before the PO closes. I was on the trail up Humpback Mountain and spotted a great campsite but wanted to go just one more mile. A thunderstorm rolled in before I could complete the mile and i ended up camping on a level spot along the trail. I made sure I wasn't camping in poison ivy and was putting the tent poles up when the rain hit. It was another dinner where the water was boiled in the open vestibule. Most of my gear was soaked and beginning to stink but my spirits were high as I would be in Waynesboro the next day. Than night I don¢t remember my head hitting the stuff sack that I use for a pillow.