Truly One Foot In Front of the Other – CDT Edition

50 2597.6 8/3/2021 misty, foggy, breezy, intermittent sun. Today was tough. It was either climb or descend. The first two climbs and descents were ok, but I was starting to tire. Also my pace was slower so I wasn’t making much progress. The third climb did me in and I sent a message to Justin saying today was tough. I was listening to The Nightingale book to help pass the time. The trail was boring. Nothing to see. Tree, trail and not much else. I had loaded myself with water and that wasn’t helping. About an hour later Justin appears. What!? I lost it and cried. He was such a welcome sight. He said we had about 4 miles to go. It also included two smaller climbs. It took forever, but we finally made it. A tough tough day. Mentally I was down. Physically I was drained. We sat under the shade of the Jeep’s awning for a while. I asked that we take a zero day in Helena to get my head straight. But first I would slack pack tomorrow then take this much needed break. In time I got up and prepared for tomorrow’s slack pack, put up my tent, and did other daily hiking chores. Dinner was Carnitas Tacos, tortilla chips and bean dip. Justin was my savior today appearing unexpectedly and helping through a difficult day. Thank you dear son!

49 2578.0 8/2/2021 overcast, cloudy, rain, cool. Packed up my soaking wet heavy tent. Also had 2L platypus and two 0.7L bottles along with two days of food. Did I say my pack was HEAVY! Then I had 4 climbs. Luckily the climbs were mild. Whew! Along the way I met a SOBO thru-hiker “Andrew” who had been on trail solo for 16 days. Stopped at Champion Pass for lunch before my last climb. I wanted to get to a spring trough part way on my fifth and final climb. The sky was getting darker and darker. As I rushed up the hill I kept looking for the spring, but saw nothing. I got to a grove of trees and decided to camp immediately. Finding a flatish spot I got my wet tent up, and jumped in with my pack. Minutes later it started to rain and blow. I was chilled so I got on my windbreaker and slipped into my sleeping bag. I napped on and off for two hours unit it was finally a bit warmer. In my camp shoes I left my tent, walked 0.1 miles to the spring, got water and returned. Feeling more settled I made dinner and did my chores. I’m hoping tomorrow is clear. I have five climbs tomorrow and then it’s Justin time! Yippee!

48 2555.8 8/1/2021 clouds, some sun, hot, rain showers. Today was a better day than yesterday. I had only two climbs. One at the start which sweated me up, and one at the end which I arrived at Justin’s Jeep. I crossed the I-15 plain in the middle. I got and guzzled water at lunch. So good. Then when I got to Justin I was able to take a warm shower and get a change of clothes (I also washed my pants). I had chicken and rice and then 2nd lunch to fatten me up. As I said today was so much better. While relaxing at the Jeep we met a SOBO thru-hiker “Sheep Goat” who is from Denmark. Very nice guy. And we gave him a Coke and an Orange soda. He said there are 7-8 hikers behind him. Also a rancher stopped by to mention there was a grizzly bear in the area and it had killed some chickens. Oh my! Justin made spaghetti and loaded my plate. I’m worried that I’m not getting enough calories. Then it started to rain so I climbed into my little tent for the night. Hopefully the rain will stop soon. Tomorrow I have to do 22 miles to a spring with 5 climbs. Adding rain might make it tougher. Another tough day for me. But I’m clean so hopefully that’ll keep my spirits up. All I need to do is 44 miles and 18 miles before a break in Helena. Night night.

47 2536.2 7/31/2021 sunny, hot, breeze, clouds. Packed up my new tent easily. On trail at 5:20 with headlamp. Listened to Outlander to help the miles go by. I had many many climbs today. They seemed unending. Water sources were sparse too. Got to one for lunch and one at end of day. I was hoping to camp at the end of day water source but there wasn’t a spot. So I climbed and found a spot among boulders 0.2 mile further. Tent set up well. I tried to nap but no sleep. I stayed in my tent for the rest of the day. I’m starting to organize my tent with my pack and most everything above my head. My shoes are at the other end. I’m filthy and need a shower and laundry but I’m pushing on tomorrow to get more miles done. I will meetup with Justin tomorrow. Chatted with Katie on text messages who did Mt. Charleston. So glad she got to do that – a real hike experience. 

46 2517.1 7/30/2021 sunny, very hot. Slept until 4:40 which is late for me. Had three 500’ climbs and then one 1000’ climb. They wear me out. Also I didn’t put up my umbrella and the sun was beating down on me. Got to Justin about 1:20 so I did well to complete 19 miles. I was dehydrated and drank soda after soda including a bottle of water. I switched tents. I now have a Big Agnes UL1 single person tent. It’s tiny and narrow but I’ll make do f0r the next 30 or less days. It reminds me of my Zpacks Hexamid BUT SMALLER. We set it up once, took it down together and then I did it by myself. I’m sleeping in it tonight. I have so many habits that now need to change. And a whole new tent to learn about. Justin got fresh trout and it was delightful with rice. Thanks sweetheart your meals and company mean a lot to me. I only have 440 miles to go. Also he was unable to get an advance permit so he must get a “walk-in” one. So our plans are going to be very fluid. Time for bed. Night night.

45 2498.5 7/29/2021 sunny, rain, thunder, clearing. Up at 4:30 and on trail at 5:20. Hiking along making my miles. Listening to Outlander. Got to a water spot (a marsh) and couldn’t find water except in cow hoof impressions. Lots of cow pies too. Decided to go on, because I had about 1 1/2 Liters in my Platypus and 0.7L in one bottle. Was going to stop at Guthooks marker named “Outlook”, but passed it by and continued hiking. It was only about 1:15 pm. I went a mile and a half and found a flat spot. I also noticed a broken down cabin. I wondered if this was the one mentioned in some water comments on the Guthooks app. Next I found white rocks farther down the slope and a stream. YIPPEE! I FOUND WATER! I guzzled one bottle and filled up everything: two 0.7L bottles and 1L dirty bottle. Set up my tent and napped. At 4:30 I heard rumbles and there was a rain shower / thunderstorm. It stopped by 5:15 and sun is now poking through. I got my tent doors up but the second zipper failed on my front door. Ugh! I finally got it closed but I think the new tent is now necessity. This is the one that Justin is buying today. Oh boy that is such good timing. Chili-Mac for dinner. Tomorrow I see Justin which is good.

44 2476.9 7/28/2021 sunny, hot, cloudy, rain. Got up even earlier and left camp with Justin at 5:07am. I immediately had a slow 2000’ climb. The end of which went up a stream bed without cairns or poles. Later there was another section where the only marking were in the bark of trees. I’m glad I know about the tree markings otherwise the trail was unmarked but for a few CDT ones. I listened to The Outlander and it’s OK but there were times when it got slow. I felt that even though I was slack packing I was not going very fast. I got to Justin at 1:15 after 20 miles for which I should be proud of doing. Justin said rain was coming so we put up the Jeep awning and cooked and ate under it. Sweet! However more rain is projected tonight so I’m in my tent and he is in his roof tent. IPod stopped by afterwards and Justin talked to him. He’s getting off trail shortly. The rain has cooled things down. We hope it helps reduce the fires and smoke in the air. Tomorrow’s plan is to do a 40 miles section in two days. Water is scarce. We shall see in tomorrow’s log as to how I do. Night night.

41 2416.0 7/25/2021 Smokey, sunny, hot, windy at lake. Woke before dawn and started packing up. Used my headlamp on red. Was on trail about 5:20 am. Still pretty dark so again used headlamp for 15-30 mins. The Advenza app and Pintler trail was easy to follow. It slowly rose as it approached the CDT. No problem making the connection. Did the first climb ok. Switched to the Guthooks map of Northern Montana- the last one! The second climb was miserable, but I did it. I decided to do the third climb to make tomorrow easier. I stopped at Warren Lake because it has a tent-site. I’m considering making the next meetup a stop-and-go to resupply and then continue for more miles. Dinner is a new one… Peak Refuel’s Sweet Pork Rice.