Date: 2006-03-20
From: Unofficial Tentsite near Cold Springs Gap

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: snow

The predicted rain arrived in the form of a few drops about 3 AM. Somehow I woke up to the loud drips and thought I probably should be getting my food bag down from the bear hang, so I brought it down to the tent. I went back to sleep to the pitter-patter of raindrops on the tent fly and woke about 5:45. It was a cold drizzle with a lot of wind so I decided to have a cold breakfast of cheese and a cinnamon raisin bagel and I was on the road by 8:15. While I was packing up Mr. Breeze breezed by. Today was a tough day with lots of ups and downs. I decided to wear gaiters in case the rain became heavy along with my rain jacket---mainly for its value as a windbreaker. Elkheart caught up with me and we passed each other up exchanging the lead, arriving at Blue Mtn Shelter at 11 where I had an early lunch. Soon Elkheart and G-man rolled in followed by Miserable Bastard. I finished my bagel with peanut butter and strawberry jam and some cheese and set off for my destination, Tray Mountain Shelter.While the morning was fairly gentle climbs and descents, the afternoon was a real push with 2 major 1000 foot downs and ups. It continued cloudy, rainy and cold throughout the day. Having only seen a few hikers pass me, I hoped to get a space in the shelter at Tray Mountain. The only hikers who had passed me were Mr. Breeze and Miserable and there were no entries indicating anyone had stayed overnight at Blue Mtn.By the end of the hike up to the top of Tray Montain at 4930 ft, I was seeing what appeared to be cylinders of broken glass on the ground and I wondered how they got there. I finally realized they were frozen rain that had blown off the branches when one landed right in front of me.By 4PM as I neared the top at 4900, the temp had dropped to around 30* and the wind had incresed to a steady 30 mph for a wind chill of 5*. The rocks at the top were covered with a coat of clear ice, making the walking difficult. I continued on to the shelter at 700 ft lower altitude and found it over full. I was cold, tired, and disappointed that I'd have to set up in the rain. When the shelter group (there were 10, 3 over capacity) let me organize my stuff on the edge of the platform, I noticed slushy sleet on my pack cover. One of the guys in the shelter, 5-Way saw me shivering and reminded me my pit zips were still open. Once I closed them and got busy setting up my tent, I warmed up a bit.It's a good thing I rehearsed setting up in the rain from under the fly at home because just as I started, the rain,started coming down hard. I managed to keep the tent reasonably dry. I debated a cold supper but finally decided I needed something hot before going to bed. Made dinner on the side of the shelter out of the wind, which was blowing directly into the shelter. Boiled enough water for tea and my Lipton's side, but forgot to pour the tea before dumping in the noodles so wound up having noodle soup--which worked out well and helped warm me up.Got into my tent at 7 and out of my wet clothes. Soon it was raining even harder.All in all, a tough day, but I'm 10 miles closer to Katahdin.Hiker midnight at 7:30. Onward to Maine!