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I went, it rained, I survived.
I got everything packed and went on my way Saturday midday. Unfortunately, my brain does everything in it's power to forget that Stone Mountain exists (even typed it wrong right there), so I headed to South Mountain instead. I realized my error and turned around. I got there around 4pm. It could've been 2:30 if I had entered the right destination.
I had plenty of time to set up camp. I had my hammock with rainfly, tent, and a shelter that I put a chair under (pics to come later). It seemed to work initially, but then I was sitting in the chair and my head was touching the tarp. Something happened, but I don't know what. I ended up putting a trekking pole under to hold it up. It worked well enough. I also checked out the site I had reserved previously (I changed it when I was paying more attention). It would have SUUUCKED. Almost no trees, so shelter would've been minimal. Stuck in hammock or tent kind of camping.
Unfortunately, I couldn't stake my tent. There were rocks everywhere in the tent pad area. I don't know who thought that was a good idea, but I bent a fucking stake trying to get it in. I finally gave up, threw my shit in and crossed my fingers. It stayed put, so that was good.
I was able to cook Saturday evening. Just as I was finishing, the rain came in. I was able to hang out in my chair and in my hammock. The only problem was I always underestimate how cold it is going to be. The hammock is REALLY cold. the good news is that I really didn't get too wet. I was prepared this time (unlike when I was at hanging rock and bailed the second night).
The next day, I did a small hike to the summit of Stone Mountain. I was warned by a friend that the rocks can get very slippery in the rain. He said not to try to hike in the rain. Since I had NO service, I had no idea what the weather was going to be. I risked it and headed out around 10am. I could see why it would be bad to get caught there in the rain.
At the summit, some idiot broke a tree branch to hang a flag, basically ruining the view. I didn't stay there long because it pissed me off how many people saw it and said "Cool". I went to a lower outlook that I preferred. I did see a storm coming in, so I went back the way I came instead of completing the loop. Torrential downpour started as I pulled into my campsite.
I started getting a migraine, but forgot to bring my meds with me. I accepted having to just deal when I said WTF? I can run to the store. I fumbled around trying to find a signal so I could get maps to find a place for pills. I finally got it, grabbed some Excedrin PM and hustled it back to the site before the gates locked. It was much more pleasant after taking the pills, but I didn't feel like cooking what I had planned and it was still raining. I decided to just make some soup on the camp stove. It was tasty AND fun!
Monday was when I was leaving. My friend had texted me the forecast the day before and it was supposed to rain at noon. I left 8ish to go see a waterfall. It took about an hour. I came back and proceeded to clean up everything but the hammock. I didn't feel like racing the rain to grill, so I had a snack instead and McDonald's (SHAME) on the way home. Apparently the forecast changed and I could've cooked with no problem.
I got home and actually unloaded the car the same day. Except the cooler. I have to dump the water from that. I think it was because, for once, I didn't just shove everything in and run. I only ended up with 4 bug bites, too.
Something that would be great is something that I can use for the weather when I have no signal.
Next trip is in a month. It would be really nice to NOT have rain when camping. Pics to come later (today maybe?)
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