03-29-13 Together on Albert Mountain

I was woken up in the middle of the night by a snout. Running around the campsite was an animal, and it had taken a liking to us. Sniffing around, it had stuck its nose under our rainfly. I woke B up; he told me to be quiet and still. We could hear the jingling of a tag, so our fears ceased. We would find out later that day that some hikers had lost their dog in that area the day before.

The sun greeted us early and we had a fun hike to Albert Mountain. On top of Albert Mountain is a fire tower, and to get to the fire tower you first have a gnarly climb. After climbing straight up, and then rock scrambling, we were welcomed with an amazing 360 degree view--our best view yet!

From the top of the tower we could see clouds rolling in. On the descent it starting misting, then sleeting. We made it to Rock Gap Shelter before the downpour.

.1 of a mile down the trail we were greeted by a man with beer. I would learn later that he had just lost his brother. Instead of sitting at home grieving he had packed up the contents of his fridge and headed to the trail for fellowship.

Also there (unrelated) was a church group cooking chili dogs and muffins. Thank you and God bless.

We opted to sleep in the shelter so we wouldn't have to breakdown a wet tent. That was entertaining--in the middle of the night one of the hikers starting snoring. Not only was he "sawing logs" but I think he was sawing puppies. And aliens. He might have been dying at one point. It was so ridiculously loud and inhuman sounding that B and I started laughing. He did keep the bears away though.