We wake up to foul weather. Our job is to sweep the bunkrooms so we have to wait for everyone to depart before we can start the job.The weather has really closed in. Luckily we are sheltered below the treeline for much of the hike. It is very cold, with high winds, so we move fast. With one mile to go to reach the hut, we come across a small older woman, in shredded poncho, cotton trousers which only reach to mid-calf, drenched to the skin, and not strong enough to stand agains the wind. Digby holds her and guides her to the hut. We wonder how many of the hikers will be hypothermia candidates.
At the Hut we are able to book in as paying guests for 2 nights to give the bad weather a chance to move on.I snuggle down into my bunk and sleeping bag and read 'Lace' - not a wide choice of reading material but it passed the time.During the afternoon bedraggled hikers start to arrive. The weather worsens during the afternoon and then clears for a few moments during the sunset. The staff take the opportunity to strip to bathers and swim in the lake. You are only young once.
Our bunkroom is awash with wet dripping clothers, and parkas.
Hamsteaks for dinner.
A contingent of through hikers - we count about 15 - are allowed to stay and sleep on the dining room floor.I am glad we are paying customers. The interface between the thru hikers and the staff is fraught with difficulty. Some thru hikers have a sense of entitlement which staff need to manage - it is difficult to turn people out into the blizzard.
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