2 months ago
43
1
Posted On: August 9th 2026, 12:49 pm
8/3/26 Shaw’s Hiker Hostel (2083.3) to Cloud Pond Lean-to (2102.3)
Writing this after the fact because on this day I rolled into camp after dark after being rained on all day and found myself in no mood to write down a silly little Instagram caption. Before I chronicle walking outside while it was raining, I’ll briefly give an extra shout out to Shaw’s. Potentially my favorite hostel on the trail. It’s a funky blend of cozy and comfortable with awareness of the fact that everyone staying there intends to walk the 100 mile wilderness as soon as they leave. There’s a full gear outfitter and hiker food resupply on site.
After what is consistently voted the best breakfast on trail I was dropped off in the pouring rain with no intention of encountering civilization as much as a paved road for almost a week. Radar, Duck, Stu, and others took a zero because of post-trail travel logistics and to wait out the weather. But I got a move on and tromped 19 soaking wet miles.
Anyone who read Bill Bryson’s book may recall that the 100MW has famous unbridged water crossings that can get pretty gnarly in bad conditions. Since the rain had only started this morning it didn’t go too badly, but I did encounter one white water crossing where I opted to yell across the river to some SOBOs who were camped there waiting until morning for the water to go down. They helped me spot the best place to cross and I made my way past. Realistically, the fear here isn’t drowning, but one bad step and you can trip and have all your gear submerged in water. Wet sleeping bag, wet clothes etc. I escaped the day with a bit of frustration and some blisters but nothing too destructive.
Writing this after the fact because on this day I rolled into camp after dark after being rained on all day and found myself in no mood to write down a silly little Instagram caption. Before I chronicle walking outside while it was raining, I’ll briefly give an extra shout out to Shaw’s. Potentially my favorite hostel on the trail. It’s a funky blend of cozy and comfortable with awareness of the fact that everyone staying there intends to walk the 100 mile wilderness as soon as they leave. There’s a full gear outfitter and hiker food resupply on site.
After what is consistently voted the best breakfast on trail I was dropped off in the pouring rain with no intention of encountering civilization as much as a paved road for almost a week. Radar, Duck, Stu, and others took a zero because of post-trail travel logistics and to wait out the weather. But I got a move on and tromped 19 soaking wet miles.
Anyone who read Bill Bryson’s book may recall that the 100MW has famous unbridged water crossings that can get pretty gnarly in bad conditions. Since the rain had only started this morning it didn’t go too badly, but I did encounter one white water crossing where I opted to yell across the river to some SOBOs who were camped there waiting until morning for the water to go down. They helped me spot the best place to cross and I made my way past. Realistically, the fear here isn’t drowning, but one bad step and you can trip and have all your gear submerged in water. Wet sleeping bag, wet clothes etc. I escaped the day with a bit of frustration and some blisters but nothing too destructive.
Comments (1)
More posts
