12 May. Mashipacong Shelter

Cold rain! It rained all night and most of the day. Low was mid 30s to a high of around 40.

Two more hikers arrived at dark. It was starting to rain. One slept at our feet across the bottom of the raised floor. No room for the 7th so they pulled the picnic table up under the roof overhang and he slept on the table. The last 2 boys are brothers. They and the one who arrived earlier are all hiking 25+ miles per day. Probably because of the rain (no one wanted to get out of the sleeping bag) they slept late. We did not get out of the shelter and start hiking until about 10:00.

Hiked all day in the rain. The picture is from our lunch stop at Gren Anderson Shelter. We did a little more than 12 miles. Saw many Lady Slippers and a few orange lizards, all struggling with the cold temps.

Trouble with my left leg today - seems like shin splints. Very painful. Plus the hiking was very unpleasant and the rocks were very slippery. Better to step on grass or leaves than the rocks. Usually it is the reverse. We planned to do 15+ miles today but stopped at Mashipacong doing only 11+.

Again no data connection.