Day 21: CW mile 78.4 to mile 261.8 to mile 275.3

Segments 16-21

Sep 15

8.11.21 -

18.6 mi +2,800 -3,250

Segments: CW05-16

I woke up this morning at the hostel, and quietly got my things ready in the living room. Debbie, a trail angel who I texted yesterday, would be picking me and a northbounder, Rich, up from the hostel at 8. I spent the morning finishing charging my phone and last minute packing. Debbie was nice to talk to on the way up the pass, and she rocks for bringing us! I started hiking around 9 am. It was a nice gradual uphill for 5 miles to end the collegiate west and officially link back up with the “real CT”.

I ran into more northbounders named Green Giant and Squirrel and gave them phone numbers for some trail angels and told them about how great the Simple Hostel was. They were excited to get to town, I could tell. The rest of the morning was pretty uneventful. The views were nice, but I was feeling in a slump today. Was feeling very lonely today and homesick, which honestly usually does happen after leaving town for me. A little ways down the trail I met Mosquito Masher, another solo lady hiker. We chatted for a bit in the shade by a stream and then she went on her way. I sat down and ate a bar, eventually getting up because the flies were annoying and the road up ahead promised a pit toilet. I can never pass up a toilet! The road also signified the end of segment 15 and beginning of 16. The pit toilet was so nice, I used it twice! Also here I sat in the shade and ate lunch with a bikepacker. He was a really nice man named Garth and we had a great conversation. It’s a bummer I won’t see him around again most likely!

The rest of the afternoon was a bit of a drag. A decent amount of ascent to add the the day. I put on some podcasts to get me through the climb. The views were nice towards the top of the climb, at least.