We woke up to freezing freezing weather today. It snowed last night and it was 32 degrees inside the shelter this morning! The shelters have 3 stone walls, a roof and wooden platforms to lay out your sleeping gear and people just sleep right next to each other. It's kinda strange and hard to get used to. Anyway after a very bad night of sleep (we were both freezing all night long and uncomfortable) we started hiking at 8:45 in the snow. After about an hour we hit non-snowy terrain, the sun began to shine through the clouds and we were so happy to start thawing out. As the day went on we encountered clear skies and 60 degree, sunny weather which made us sweat as we climbed hills, then suddenly we would descend on the shady side of a mountain that still had snow on it and a cold breeze coming thru and we would freeze again! Definitely a difficult day to plan your hiking outfit. Haha! (My outfit is the same every single day, I just add or peel layers - and come to think of it I really look forward to wearing something different when I get home). The AT terrain differs from the Pacific Crest Trail (the PCT) in that there are many ups and downs as you hike along the mountains whereas the PCT has fewer ups and downs and more of many miles that just go along the ridge of the trail.
Today is one of those days that have sort of dampened our enthusiasm for backpacking. We *only* hiked 11.7 miles but it seemed like it went on forever even when compared to the time we hiked 16.5 miles. I think we're both ready to get off this trail already but we have to keep hiking until we get to the road out. The only way out is to keep hiking more!
We are at another shelter tonight and it is really full. At least there aren't any chatter boxes in here tonight and it's all quiet at 8 pm. I like this crowd!
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