Daily Log – Page 14 – Truly One Foot In Front of the Other

Daily Log: Day 14

Day 14 – Sunday 7/26/2020 – 1489.7 – partially cloudy, sunny, warm, no wind. I woke at 4:40 am and was on trail at 5:30 am. I wished farewell to my camp buddy, Justin. I took first climb very slowly and although I was sweating I wasn’t completely out of breathe. The trail was again easy to follow. I had been following several different shoe prints. I came to a marshy meadow. The grass was wet with dew and soaked my pants. The underlying marsh soaked my shoes. So much for keeping dry. I got lost crossing it which didn’t help either. On the other side of the meadow just as I found the trail I met a tent site of 7 hikers – a family. Thee women and four men. We chatted briefly, but soon I move on. On another climb I had to count 25s again. Ugh! I crossed into the great state of Colorado. At 10:30 am I met Mouse and Gangles, NOBO thru-hikers. They told me about camping in the saddle after the water stop. They also said there was a bridge out in 7-8 miles tomorrow. I got to my final climb and slowly got up to the stream that I was seeking. As I was eating lunch a dog ran up. It surprised me. A women came next and apologized about the dog. She said a 4×4 was coming up the rocky trail. So I moved my stuff from the center of the trail to the side. Here comes two more people driving up the stoney bumpy trail in a large vehicle. The noise kinda broke the natural peace and quiet along with the smell of engine exhaust. I finished up lunch after they passed. It was only a few minutes later that I was at the saddle and found a semi-level spot. I was done hiking for the day. I set up my tent. It’s on a slight slope but it’ll do. While setting up 6 trail motorcyclist passed by on the trail. This seems to be a busy section. I’ll meetup with Justin tomorrow – yay!

While I was hiking today Justin repositioned the Jeep to our next meetup point near South Fork Elk River. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Daily Log: Day 13

Hike Together: Meetup: Day 13 – Saturday 7/25/2920 – 1474.6 – started clear, overcast, after rain, clearing by late afternoon. Today I slept in, BECAUSE JUSTIN IS HIKING WITH ME! We left camp at about 6:10 am. Justin drove the Jeep to the trailhead which is 0.6 miles up the road. I hiked it because I want to have a continuous set of footsteps from Mexican border to the Canadian border – the entire trail. We left the trailhead together at 6:30 am. We immediately had to climb. I had to hike while counting 25 right-foot steps, then pause, catch breath, and repeat. Up and up we went. Finally it was flatter and I could breathe regularly. We hiked through wet marshy meadows getting our feet wet. It was a single track trail. I was in front of Justin who hiked behind me, because I hike slower. We passed many water sources. I learned that Justin’s vision is much better than mine. He could see the trail markers that are much farther ahead which kept us on trail. There was less need for relying on the Guthooks mapping app. The trail was marked very well. The next climb wasn’t so bad. Then we had a very steep long descent. At 11:30 am we stopped for lunch at the last water before our planned Tentsite stop. It started to rain so we rushed on. Then began another climb. I was getting tired and had to again count 25 steps and pause. We finally arrive at the site at about 2:15 pm. In the rain we rushed to put our tents up. Afterwards I climbed into my tent and Justin into his. I got off my wet shoes and socks and put on warm socks and camp shoes. I was exhausted, sweaty and chilled. So I laid down. Surprisingly I took a nap with my sleeping bag partially over me for additional warmth. I was asleep for for 2-3 hours. During that time Justin tried to talk to me, but I didn’t respond. He was also surprised that I had conked out. So he did things around camp. Finally around 5 pm I begin to wake up. He had made a wonderful fire. So I got out of my tent and stood in front of the fire, because I was still chilled. The fire felt so good. Next he made and we ate dinner. Finally he put the fire out. We got into our tents for the night. Wow! What a day. The tough climbs, the massive descent, the cold rain, and the long nap. All quite unusual. Tomorrow Justin will retrace his hike back northbound to the Jeep while I hike on southbound by myself. It was a lovely day and I’ll miss him.

On the road between last night’s campsite and the trailhead that we’d be hiking southbound together there was a rare CDT road sign

Ready to start our 15 mile hike – me with my nose strip on. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

As Justin followed me I was unaware that he was taking picture of me in action on the trail. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Through fields of wildflowers. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

*Across marshy wet meadows*. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Following the trail and looking for markers which were poles in cairns. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Even though it’s the end of July we found scatterings of snow. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes gently, sometime steeply. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

At the end of the day we camped where I unusually napped and Justin made a fire. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Daily Log: Day 12

Hiking Together: Meetup: Day 12 – Friday 7/24/2029 – 1459.8 – rainy, cold, clearing, cool. I woke to the patter of rain on my tent. Then the rain stopped. I’ve begun to feel the days are getting shorter. I got on trail by 5:20 am. I headed to two creeks about two miles ahead. There I got water and sent Justin a message telling him when I left camp so he could estimate when I’d get to the summit and our meeting [“Left at 5:20. Stopping for water about 1.7 miles from camp.” Jul 24, 2020 7:03 AM]. The rain started slowly again. I put up my umbrella. It was cool and began to turn colder. Finally I stopped and put on my rain jacket and rain mittens. They helped keep me warmer. But I was wet underneath. At about 9 am here comes Justin towards me. We were only 15 minutes from the 10,900 foot summit. There was not much to see. It was foggy, cold and misting. The grass was wet and it soaked my feet. Since Justin knew the way I mindlessly followed him down. Every so often I has to stop and breathe. We made it back to the Jeep about 10:45 am. Immediately I was cold and switched my shirt to a dry one, put on my puffy jacket and hat, put on dry socks and my camp shoes. Soon I felt better. I’m glad we’re done for today. We had brats for lunch. Then chores began to prepare for the next day’s section. We’ll be hiking southbound together for 15 miles. Then I will continue on and Justin will turn around and return to the Jeep. The rain stopped, the sun came out, but it was cool so we needed a coat.

Justin parked the Jeep and is preparing to hike backwards to meet me. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

After meeting me and on the way down Justin found a loose CDT trail marker and asked me to hold it for this picture. I look cold. I need to keep moving to stay warm. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Hidden behind the glove I’m eating a snack to get more calories to keep warner. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Finally back at camp and warmer I’m repairing the big hole in my backpack side pocket where I had toppled backwards while climbing over a massive blowdown. In my pack I carried a needle with me for just such emergencies, and my thread was dental floss. Slowly I stitched catching each new stitch in the previous one. When done I imagined it looked like what Frankenstein’s stitches looked like. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Warm and chores done I can finally relax… *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Our homes for tonight: me in my tent (foreground) and Justin in his roof-top pop-up. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Daily Log: Day 11

Day 11 – Thursday 7/23/2020 – 1447.3 – clear, some clouds, sunny, rain clouds and some rainy, back to sunny and hot. I woke late at 4:50 am and got on trail at 5:40 am. It was a long road walk. I got to Justin at 9:45 am. I met a NOBO thru-hiker named Earlybird. I stayed with Justin 1 hour and then off I went to get 10 more miles. I am now a single track trail. There are many climbs. Also there are many blow downs. It has been a long exhausting day. This afternoon I fell backwards and ripped my backpack big side packet on a pointed branch of a blowdown. I’m lucky I didn’t hurt myself. I found a Tentsite waypoint on Guthooks. I hope it’s good, that is, it’s not windy. When I got there I found that there are trees here finally and some shade. I met NOBO thru-hikers Ken and Sam at my stopping point.

Daily Log: Day 10

Day 10 – Wednesday 7/22/2020 – 1427.9 – partially overcast, 50% chance of rain after 1 pm. I woke at 4:25 am, packed up, ate breakfast and was on trail at 5:05 am. My day was all a long road walk. I met Bam, a NOBO thru-hiker at 10 am. I got to my original goal at 11:20 am, a beautiful spring. I had two bottles of water and lunch. I laid down for a short rest. Then at 1:30 pm I continued hiking. I met Creep another NOBO thru-hiker. I am listening to Outliers audio book which helps pass the time. At 3:30 pm I stopped and set up my tent in what I believed was the lee windward side of a hill. In the distance some rain clouds appeared. The wind picked up. One tent stake pulled out twice. I pounded it back in and put a large rock on it and its neighbor. The tent was buffeted by the wind over and over. Fine grains of dust filled the tent and covered everything. Some rain fell. Then over time the wind died down. I’ve got to learn how to set this tent up better. In two days Justin is planning to hike NOBO from Battle Pass up to me. That is, he will meet me at the summit. He’s even willing to carry some of my stuff down for me. So tomorrow I have about 10 miles to a quick stop & go meet-up with Justin and then 10 more to our actual meet-up campsite at mile 1447. This is to reduce my Battle Pass climb the following day. We shall see how I do.

My campsite which I thought was protected from the wind by the hill on the right. Little did I know that the valley channeled the wind and buffeted my tent filling it with fine dust from the dry road. I’m still trying to get used to being on trail again.

Daily Log: Day 9

Meetup: Day 9 – Tuesday 7/21/2020 – 1404.9 – clear, sunny, hot, windy afternoon. I woke at 4:20 am, packed up, had my pop tart and MIO water, and was on trail at about 5:05 am. Today was going to be my longest day yet – 22 miles. I was zipping along. First part was on a dirt road. I did a climb up to a hill top and on the far side was a very steep descent. I had to get out my hiking poles for the first time. I went by several evaporation ponds in a park. The country is changing. It is getting more hilly. But then after a while the road stopped and I had to navigate point to point. Now it was very slow going. It was very hard on me. After a few miles I was exhausted and finally came to a dirt road. Just down the road I saw Justin’s Jeep driving towards me. What? He was supposed to meet me two miles later but here he was early. Yippee! I’ll take it. I put my pack in the Jeep, had a short 30 minute break, drank a Coke, and prepared to slack pack the remaining miles. He left to do more errands. It was a slog even with no heavy pack but I completed all 22 miles by 2:30 pm. A NOBO thru-hiker named Moonshine stopped by for a free cold Coke. Justin and I had chicken quesadillas, chips, bean dip, and lots of water. The plains are ending and the hills are coming. I can feel it.

On the hill top looking down at some evaporation ponds in a park.

Looking back at what I just descended. Up to now I’ve not needed my hiking poles, but this time I did.

OMG I got cell signal! Wishing my sweetheart a happy anniversary. I miss you so much. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Miles and miles of road. Our campsite for the night. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Daily Log: Day 8

Meetup: Day 8 – Monday 7/20/2020 – 1381.5 – clear, sunny, hot, dry. I woke after a fitful sleep with gusting winds at 4:40 am, packed up and was on trail at 5:20 am. It was an easy 7 miles to Justin. I arrived at 8:10 am. I drank a Coke. We chatted and decided after a few minutes that I would slack-pack through Rawlins WY and get more miles in. I left at 9:45 am. I took Justin’s daypack, 2L of water, some snacks, and my InReach. This was my first slack-packing ever. I never did any on the AT although many other hikers did. I zoomed along and did 7 more miles until SOBO mile 1381.5 at 12 noon where I again met up with Justin. We had hot sausage wraps for lunch and pizza for dinner. Yum! I did my standard resupply stuff out of the Jeep. In addition I also took a shower and washed my clothes. Tomorrow I will be attempting to do 22 miles. We shall see. It will be 14 miles to water, 4 more to meet Justin where I’ll again switch from my backpack to a slack-pack and then 4 more to our official meetup point. Overall it’s been a good day, but I’m tired because I didn’t sleep well with yesterday’s wind.

Tartan’s view: Somewhere out there is Justin.

Justin’s view: I see a spec moving. Could that be Tartan? *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Justin’s view: It is. It is. I see Tartan! *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

With a wave goodby he’s off on his first slack-pack to and through Rawlins WY. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Doing laundry after slack-packing through Rawlins WY. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Because we’re near town Justin ordered and drove to a local pizzeria so we could have pizza for dinner. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

I can’t get lost or not find the trail when we are parked right on it! Say aloud: “ON TRAIL – SOUTHBOUND”. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Daily Log: Day 7

Day 7 – Sunday 7/19/2020 – 1367.6 – clear, sunny, hot, gusty afternoon breezes. I was up at 4:39 am. Overall I slept well for once. Also I had to immediately poop. Like on the PCT I need to dig a hole the night before. I then packed up, ate breakfast, and was on trail at 5:20 am. My goal was a spring in twenty miles. Yup, a big mileage day. Today the trail was less off-road track and instead it was hunting for a footpath through the high desert. There were also a few more climbs. Also I got cell service and down loaded all my text messages but didn’t stop to read them. I didn’t have a lot of water so I had to conserve it. I arrived at the spring and three other thru-hikers were there: Matt, and Wyoming, who were hiking together, and S’mores, who had two other partners that weren’t there. We saw them passed by on the road and didn’t stop. I was thirsty and downed three 0.7L bottles there. S’mores said there was a stand of trees ahead that had campsites. He left to catch up to his friends. I ate lunch and then after about 90 minutes I proceeded on to those trees. I was officially done hiking for the day so I went slowly. The trail is barely a path. It was very rocky. I went from trail marker to trail marker. I had to climb some too. The wind was very gusty. I got there and the trees provided shade but the wind was channeled directly through them. So no tent tonight. I tried to cowboy camp and hide behind a tree. Only about 7 miles or until about 8 AM tomorrow to get to Justin. I can do this. Hopefully nothing will blow away overnight.

Another day’s dawning. Time to make some miles.

Justin arrived the day before at our next meetup point. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Justin’s home away from home – La Jeep with the pop-up tent and ladder. *(Photograph Courtesy of J. Watt)*

Daily Log: Day 6

Day 6 – Saturday 7/18/2020 – 1350.0 – clear, few clouds, sunny, hot, dry. I was up at 4:39 am and on trail at 5:16 am. Today was only 14.7 miles. Along the way I thought I saw a cell tower and indeed I got a signal and received text messages from the family. It’s nice to be connected being so far from civilization. I met Bard, a NOBO thru-hiker. A few minutes later around 10:00 am I heard a beep behind me and thinking it was someone’s truck I stepped off trail and turned around to wave. Surprise, surprise, it was Justin in the Jeep. While packing up our campsite he found a valve for my air mattress and was worried I’d have nothing to sleep on for the next two nights. So he drove the trail to find me. How nice! He too had met Bard, and he was also surprised how far I had gone. The air mattress was fine. It was a spare valve that had unfortunately fallen out of mattress storage sack. He left and I hiked on. Next I met two section hikers Eric and Balto. They had started in Steamboat Springs, CO about 10 days ago. We didn’t chat long and we went our ways. In a few minutes I was at the spring where I’ll stay overnight. I found a shady spot – yippee! I pooped – yippee! And although it’s early in the day I’m sitting in the shade with a nice breeze blowing. You’ve got to relax and enjoy the little things when they pop up. Soon I’ll eat lunch and get water at the spring. Then in late afternoon I’ll set up my tent in a sage bush grove which will hopefully reduce the buffeting by the gusty afternoon winds.

Leaving the reservoir at dawn with the Jeep is barely visible.

Following a dirt road track shortly before Justin caught up to me with my spare air mattress valve that I had accidentally dropped while packing up.

Daily Log: Day 5

Meetup: Day 5 – Friday 7/17/2020 – 1335.3 – clear, sunny, hot, dry. I was up at 4:36 am and on trail at 5:23 am. I passed a hiker’s car who was camping right on trail. Because of that I got a little off trail, but soon was back on it. Also I met both Five Star who is tidy and not an army general, and Songbird. They are both NOBO thru-hikers. I was very surprised that she remembers meeting me on the PCT at Goat Rocks in 2014. What?! Now that’s quite a coincidence! Then later on I met Montuckey, another NOBO thru hiker. Think of that… these hikers had left the Mexico border and now they’re in Wyoming. Wow! I again finished hiking quite early at 11:30 am, but no Justin at our meetup spot so I sat and waited. Five minute later Justin arrived. We parked and set up at the nearby reservoir. As we sat and relaxed another hiker named Saul, a NOBO hiker stopped for a soda. He had met Justin’s friend Danny on the PCT the year before. Another coincidence! A few minutes later yet another hike stopped for a soda. His trail name is Wolf. And it was his car and campsite I passed that morning. He is an incremental yo-yo. That is, he parks his car, hikes NOBO half way to his next parking spot, hikes SOBO back to his car, drives to that next spot, hikes SOBO to where he turned around, hikes NOBO back to his car, and repeats that over and over. Also he’s done 2 Colorado trails, 3 PCTs, 4 JMTs, 5 VT Long Trail, 5 ATs, but zero CDT. He said that he got the Billie Goat award for more than 25k miles of hiking, but no triple crown yet. At dusk a Tour Divide biker named Ian pulled up to camp. It was a very busy day socially. I resupplied and refilled from the Jeep and now I am ready for the next mini-section. Cowboy camping again tonight next to the Jeep and Justin.