April 3, 2000 -- Day 3
Destination: Gooch Gap Shelter
Today's miles: 5.1
Trip miles: 16.1

The mother of all storms paid us a visit last night. Dennis and Robins' tent didn't do it's job well at all, so Joker and I each made room for one more. I was glad for the company when lightning and thunder like I've never seen or heard before moved directly overhead, accompanied by a deluge and wind gusts strong enough to bring very large trees down on top of flimsy tents and fragile people. We compared notes in the rainy morning, and it turns out I wasn't the only one who'd been shaking in my sleeping bag. Despite the fact that all of our gear was anywhere from damp to saturated, we laughed at the night we'd just been through.

Today, we sloshed to Gooch Gap Shelter, where there happened to be three open spaces for three more soggy hikers. Six of us are now warm and dry, as the rain still falls. Perpetual thru-hiker Baltimore Jack is sitting on the edge of the shelter, having stopped by to sign the register and chat for a bit. I asked whether this is his sixth or seventh consecutive thru-hike, but he said he's lost count. He remembered me from the Internet trail forums and last year's Trail Days festival by my nickname--now trailname--Ramkitten. Baltimore Jack is telling ominous tales about the trail ahead, with a grin.

It's amazing how quickly the camaraderie on the trail grows strong, probably enhanced by the weather we're dealing with. Though I’ve seen a relatively small number of the hikers I know are in the area, I can feel the presence of many others, ahead and behind. It seems from the registers, as well as reports by those who are hiking more quickly and passing us by, that we're between two rather large groups of thru-hikers, which accounts for the room that was available to us at this small shelter. I only wish the privy were a little closer.

Rumor has it that sun is in store for tomorrow. Joker, Marie and I will shoot for Wood's Hole Shelter, ten miles ahead, which would put us four miles out of Neel's Gap. We're setting daily goals but stopping when our bodies or brains tell us it's time. Our paces are similar, and I'm enjoying their company. We'll see how long we stick together.

--Ramkitten