Day 211

Day 211 (cdt 38): 28 miles

I woke up with everything inside my tent soaking wet. I expected a little bit of moisture camping near water like that but I really didn’t expect it to be as bad as it was. The day got off to a damp and chilly start but early on I ran into a couple NOBOs and started to shed some layers when I realized the sun was out and it was getting warm now.

Shortly after there was a Ford which tempered my enjoyment. The water was chilly but at least I could do it barefoot and preserve my shoes and socks. There was probably 4-5 fords today.

The downed trees slowed me down a little bit but they really weren’t they bad so there must be a forest crew working on it.

Right at the end of the day it started thundering overhead. There was some sprinkles and I had an opportunity to camp in a very bad spot but at least I’d be done for the day. Without much thought, as usual, I decided to push on to the next legit camp site in a couple miles. At this moment, I fucked up.

After going for a little bit longer it started to rain heavier and then it started to hail. They were probably the size of whoppers (the candy not the sandwich). They were hurting a bit. I ran 100 yards before there was a tree with any semblance of branches for shelter. I stood there for a good 8 minutes where it just came down like crazy. As soon I stopped taking the video and put my phone away I think it got angry and started coming down twice as hard. Even under the tree I was still getting hit with painful pellets.

Then it transitioned to a heavy rain downpour for a few minutes and the hail did a real nice job of holding the water in too like pools to make the whole trail a river. The last 2 miles to camp were miserable. I was just trying to avoid stepping in the deep puddles but still trying to walk at a decent pace while sidestepping constantly and having wet feet regardless. To no surprise when I took my socks off the plantar warts were back a bit. They were visibly gone for the past few days. I finally got my introduction to the CDT. Welcome to the fuckin divide

Song of the day: take a look around-limp bizkit