I broke down my tent/camp around 6 am just uphill from the shelter, the tent was only half wet.  I threw everything quickly in the pack and went down to the shelter for a dry breakfast.  It turned into an all day rain in the 50s

Unlike through hikers on a mission, or myself section hiking the last 18 years, I don’t have to make any miles.  I can stay warm and dry if  I want to.  I decided to “zero” and hike tomorrow, which will be sunny.  It’s a different vibe that will take some getting used to.

I once went hiking with a couple friends from work, one who just likes to hike, one an ex-Marine.  We had to reassure him “Kyle, hiking can be fun.  You can do this for pleasure.  There is no drill sergeant.   You don’t have to carry an 80 pound pack on a forced march, field strip your rifle and eat mostly cold MREs”.  I think I’m relearning the same lesson.

Tomorrow morning I’m going to catch sunrise on the knob.