We rode back to the trail with Edie, Alie, and (doing a good job of driving in spite of four separate navigators and one temperamental GPS unit) Wayne. We got to “Joe to Go” earlier than expected, but considering our lack of sleep over the last couple of days and the general lack of water up the trail, decided to go no further than the next shelter. Before we started up the hill, we ran into Hammer (he of the “samurai sword to Maine” fame), who we had not seen in Ages (or to be more precise “in several states”). He had taken some time off around the 4th, decided to save Pennsylvania until later, and skipped ahead to New Jersey. He has lost weight since we saw him last, but looked good, assuring us he had put some weight back on while on his break.

Near the Culver Fire Tower and the end of the climb back to the ridge top, we found a trail register on a tree that informed us that Team Chick-fil-A had passed us on Friday, while we were off at the wedding. This was sad as we had not seen them since the Blackburn Center (remember they were sleeping?), and had not spoken to Mange or Cheetah since Damascus. We would have liked a short visit and update as they breezed by, but are unlikely to see them again after spotting them a two-day advantage.

This shelter has a good water source, so that was the first order of business. The clouds rolled in and the thunder made it sound like the heavens were about to pour torrents, so we retired to our tent to ride out (actually nap out the storm), but the threat of rain ended even quicker than it developed.

Around 6:30, a more un-dodge-able line of storms comes through. We avoid the worst storms, but they are enough to drive in every hiker within a three-mile radius. Our initially spacious shelter quickly becomes quite cozy. We’ll see what happens later this evening, but hopefully the rain will be gone by dawn. We are planning an early start and above average miles for tomorrow…