I had my first solo backpacking attempt this past weekend in the Lake Vesuvius area of Wayne National Forest in southern Ohio. It was raining steadily and I arrived at the trailhead late with only 2 hours to hike 4 miles to MAYBE a spot to camp (at least legally). It took me an hour to make one mile -- then I turned around and headed out.

I know I'm lacking in experience, so the thought of trying to find a suitable camp spot in the dark was the final straw.

So the lesson learned with this abject failure is that I cannot yet hike that far through mud. The positive is that I really don't mind the rain at all. 

Of course, I didn't sleep in it. Or have to put wet clothes on the next morning. Jury might still be out.

THIS IS VESUVIUS!