This was to be my biggest mileage so far in one day, and I was looking forward to the challenge. We had a series of pretty large climbs, which ended in a climb of 1300 feet to the top of Tray Mountain. The shelter would be just on the other side. The day was uneventful, but I carried extra water as the lesson from the day before. About halfway through the day I met up with Sasquatch again and we hiked together for the remainder. As we were entering the gap and about to begin our climb of Tray Mountain I verbalized to him that I hoped for some rain to knock the bugs down and cool us off. Approximately 1.75 seconds later the first raindrop hit my head. As we started to climb the thunder picked up along with the rain. Fifteen minutes later we had hail. The rain was so strong that we were quickly soaked and as the hail increased it began to hit so hard it was physically painful.
We reached a false summit and had hoped a side trail would take us to the shelter. The lightning was still striking with practically no delay between flash and roar, and the hail had not let up. The trail ended up being a side trail to water (which we certainly did not need at this point) so we returned to the main trail and pushed on. We were walking in a river by this point and my feet were beginning to chill. My muscles were tightening up and we still had not reached the top. I suspected the shelter would be full by the time we arrived at the campsite, meaning I would have to attempt to erect my tent in these conditions. I was not the happiest of campers at that moment. As we rounded a bend in the trail I thought I saw a pop-up sunshade erected to the left. I told Sasquatch it must be a mirage, but when I saw the grill and smelled the meat I knew I was wrong, it was Trail Magic.
Trail Magic is the term given to any acts of kindness given to thru hikers by others. Most of the time it comes in the form of a former hiker who has come to a point on the trail bearing gifts of food or drink. This time it was Bill and Steve(?) cooking what looked to be half pound plus burgers and handing out Mountain Dew. IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREAKING HAIL STORM. After consuming three burgers and two Mountain Dews ( I don't even like Mountain Dew) the storm had passed somewhat and the sun was trying to shine. A fire had been made by another dear soul who had his camper at that location and I was warming and drying myself. It took every ounce of strnegth I had to get myself out of that lawnchair and put my pack back on for the rest of the trip to the shelter. I arrived to beautiful views and a great campsite to pitch my tent.
Easily the best day on the trail so far, despite the monster elevation change, the long distance, and mother nature. Probably moreso because of it.
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