Date: 2008-06-06
From: minerva hinchey shelter

To: rutland, vt
Miles today: 20.1

It started raining buckets last night around midnight, and I'm hardly exaggerating. A little different from the 90 and sunny forecast. A little chilly too. Didn't really want to head out, but since it had been raining for a while, I figured there would be no point it delaying. Hit the trail at 6:45. It stopped raining after I was drenched at 7:00. Oh well, can't win them all.Word of the day: WET.A mile or so in, I rounded a corner and there was a skunk waddling down the trail towards me. Expletive. He wanted to go where I was. Expletive. He raised his tail when I started to go for my camera. No picture. Eventually he turned around after a bunch of tail raising and headed into the bush. I gave him a wide berth and booked it.The ground was soaked, and there was mud everywhere. No keeping the feet dry today, wasn't even trying. The rain held off for a bit, and there was just the fog rain. Took off the raincoat as I started the 3000 foot climb up Killington. Got pretty wet, but its better than wearing the raincoat. Which brings me to Yeti's raincoat theory:Raincoats are not meant to keep you dry. They are meant to let in water and/or trap sweat so they can act as a wetsuit. There is no such thing as a breathable raincoat. No thru hiker has disagreed with me.Up and down a couple times, and ended up at a shelter. Figured I might as well take a short break and eat a snack since I was planning on skipping lunch. Then it started pouring again. Oh well, into the maelstrom. Soaked in 30 seconds. 2000 more feet to Killington.The climb went well, just blazed up it. The cooling rain and temperature really helps to energize me. At least it doesn't drain me like the sun.Before the main climb started, I came to the first two fords of the trip. The first one was a half rock hop, and half ankle deep wade. No problem, but shoes soaked. The second one was knee deep whitewater. First time I've ever undone my hipbelt in preparation for a ford. Made it across alright though.Large sections of the trail were literally streams up to three inches deep. There was just so much water last night that it was everywhere.Got into an alpine climate towards the top. All pine forest with lots of moss and ferns. The fiddleheads were the perfect age and growing right next to the trail. I was grabbing them as I walked and popping them in my mouth. Probably no calories, but it was good and something different.Reached the top and of course there was no view. I knew that though and it was foggy anyways. Back down to Pico.I crossed over to Pico and started down for the rest of the day. Moving really good. Got to the trailhead at ten to two. That's pretty much three mph including the fifteen minutes of breaks I took. Damn good time, easy when the weather sucks.I knew it would be about impossible to get a hitch looking and smelling like a wet dog. I called a trail angel, and he came to pick me up and drop me off at the hostel. Thanks Plans too Much.Managed to avoid lengthy conversation with the people that run the hostel so they didn't convince me to join their cult. I was prepared though.Had a very long shower and washed at least twice with excessive amounts of soap and shampoo. First real shower in a staggering 400 miles. Gross.I learned there was a Chinese buffet near the hostel. I knew where I was going for dinner. As always, I made sure I got my money's worth, eating twice the food that the obese couple next to me did. Proud of that actually. Five mounded plates and soup and ice cream. Food wasn't great, but it was filling. I wanted to eat until I hurt, and I accomplished my mission.Resupplied at Wal-Mart for a staggering $6. Probably have too much food too. Can't beat that.Back to the hostel. Met Waterbear and Stormenorm for the first time. They have always been ahead of me. Just Hikin' showed up and the group talked a ton, mostly the usual trail news and about other hikers.Stayed up late {for a hiker}.