Date: 2012-09-28
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

I awoke this morning and went to the privy. I was surprised to find out one of the section hikers who was drinking heavily the night before was vomiting into the privy. I packed quickly and headed back down the road to the trail. I hadn't really paid attention the day before to where the trail went after it crossed the road. It actually travelled down the road and back into the woods about 75-100 yards further down. The trail climbed pretty steeply immediately. My ankle started giving me problems immediately. The Naproxin is definitely helping though. It started raining this afternoon right before I got to Max Patch. My umbrella has definitely been worth the weight. It only weighs a little over 7.5 ounces. People often make fun of my umbrella but they don't understand the advantages. It allows basic rain protection (and wind protection I might add) without restricting ventilation. People often get wet beneath their rain gear. They think their rain gear is failing them but what actually happens is the rain gear restricts ventilation (yes, even expensive waterproof/breathable rainwear). This is not to say WPB fabric isn't worth it. I look at the umbrella as 85% usable in bad weather. If the rain is really hard then rain gear is still required. The umbrella only covers the upper half of my body. My shorts and legs still become wet. My legs are usually the warmest part of my body, do to the activity of hiking, so this is rarely an issue. Unless it is cold I don't usually bother to put my wind pants on (unless I expect really cold weather I do not take WP/B pants because my wind pants work in most situations). I strap my umbrella to the outside of my pack so it is easier to get to and quicker to deploy when it rains. This also keeps me drier. Since the umbrella doesn't restrict ventilation I don't have to slow down. Since the water isn't hitting me in the face my morale is easier to maintain. I also use it for wind protection in all but really high winds and use it to help strengthen my rain fly on my tent when needed or my tarp if using one. I resisted carrying one for many years due to the weight and the stigmatism associated with them. Once I hiked with one I discovered the advantages of them and now I rarely hike without one. When I reached the top of Max Patch the rain stopped. It was still very foggy though. I sat on the top and wished my view was better. As I decided to leave I started hiking down and noticed the fog clearing some. I waited a few minutes and took several pictures. The view almost completely cleared when it started pouring down rain so I again deployed my umbrella and headed for the next shelter. It was an easy two miles downhill to the shelter. Once there I hung my pack on the wall. Most of my gear was fairly dry. I changed into some warmer clothes. I made Packit Gourmet's "Texas Chili" for dinner. It was delicious. I definitely will be ordering more of them. A group of 4 guys came into the shelter right before dark. One setup a hammock, one setup a tent and 2 stayed in the shelter. I realized this is my last night on the AT. I am not ready for this leg to be over...