Wednesday, Sep 17, 2025. Up at 7:30. Rainy day and cool.
Slept GREAT. Used the bath house to get dressed and cleaned up this morning. Had breakfast in tent then waited in tent until a break in the rain at 8:40 to strike camp and head out. Rain today until about 6:00pm. And it rained harder at 8:45. Still waiting for that break in the rain at 9:15. So much for the weather forecast!
Packed up in the rain. Goal is to keep the inner tent dry. Everything else is wet and dirty. Wearing my rain kilt, umbrella, and neoprene gloves this morning. Gonna keep up heavy rain until at least noon. Oh well. On trail at 9:40 (mile 1043.9)
Only 13.5 miles today with our first stop in 2 miles at Washington Monument park. There is a pavilion there where we can get out of the rain for a bit if needed. And potable water. Next stop after that is the US 40 underpass about 3.2 miles later. Very noisy but should be dry.
Stopped at Washington Monument park for second breakfast. Been raining good since we got on trail. The temps are just at the lower end of where I am comfortable NOT wearing a rain jacket. That means I am wearing a light rain jacket but the sweating in the jacket is annoying. Should lighten up on the rain in about 3 hours.
We took a break at Washington Monument park for half an hour. Ditched the rain coat. Too hot. A NOBO hiker and a SOBO thru-hiker stopped to get dried off as well. This weather is miserable.
We hiked on from the monument and crossed I-70 on the foot bridge overpass.
Arrived at Ensign Cowell shelter (1057.8) about 4:40. Got our tents setup, they are wet from the rain, and started to get our wet gear unpacked. Dana arrived just after 5:00 to deliver water and my spoon . Glad she brought water as the spring is a shallow muddy puddle.
Nice tenting spot. We hung things to dry, but no wind and it’s a bit humid. We are in no hurry tomorrow so we can let things dry while we chill around camp until 10:00 only 10 miles to go and Dana will not be able to pick us up until close to 5:00pm.
Technical Notes:
- Pop tart 360
- Fig bar 200
- Trail mix 210
- Fatty beef stick 300
- Payday 240
- Peak Refuel chicken rice w. Veggies 750
- Crackers 190
- Fritos 320
- Water liters: 1.5
- Miles: 14.18
- Time: 7:00
- Elevation gain: 2543
- Elevation descent: 2208
- Calories consumed: 2570
- Calories burned: 2463
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