(Daily Mi: 11.4) About the steepest sustained climb on this section of the trail out of the gap. Initial ascent ends with literal hand-over-hand climb to the top of a knob at about 5500'. Made decent time considering the elevation. Had lunch w/ a former thruhiker at the 5 mile shelter just past the knob. Found a register entry from Bro and Laura who were in the night before.

Smelled an oncoming deluge as I set out at 1pm and seriously put the hammer down covering six miles and 1500' down into the gap and a quick 1500' back up onto the next ridge, making the shelter 3 pm and just missing what turned out to be a terrific storm.

Nice surprise! Brother and Laura took a slack day and were bundled up in the shelter when I came sprinting in. Nice afternoon in an antique 4 person shelter with Laura reading to us, listing to a steady rain, as Brother and I rolled our cigarettes.