rain reign

We're no strangers to precipitation on the AT. But today we took getting wet to another level-rain over 3 climbs totalling 2,500 feet and 14 miles. The first--800 feet up and down Bear Mountain, Conn (every state seems to have one Bear Mt.)--wasn't so bad. Just a few drops, then a drizzle. But by the time we crossed the Mass. Line, it started coming in buckets. Slightly annoying, but no more so than the gradual 1,000 feet up. By now we were wet. Rain suits are nice, but when you sweat, the moisture has to go somewhere. Still no big deal. We were moving, and warm. As we approached the summit, we needed to sidle up large chunks of granite. Easy enough when dry, slippery and tricky when wet. So we leaned our weight forward and onto our poles and summited--literally into a cloud. Water vapor drifted past us and we enjoyed the view, even though the rain continued--almost sidewise up top. One picture later the view became shrouded in fog and we were getting cold from standing still. We followed the ridge a half mile rather too close to the edge. The bottom, when we could see it, was 2000 feet down. Another rocky descent, steep, slippery climb, and, finally, a reasonable approach and we hit a shelter. After changing into dry clothes and dining on tea, soup, and sandwiches, we're almost ready for another day. As long as it isn't rainy.
-Billy Goat