Day 22: Mile 275.3 to mile 301.6
8.12.21 -
26.3 miles +4,500 -5,300 ft
Segments: 16-17
First marathon day on trail and I have a feeling it will also be my last as it was really not that fun. I woke up at my usual time and got ready to hike, leaving promptly at 6. Water was going to be a bit of an issue today, with the longest carry being 12 miles.
The trail undulated for a bit before going into a gradual climb up into a meadow that was filled with cows. They are so cute. Especially the calves! They are super curious. I was essentially “chasing” them down the trail, when one calf just stopped on the trail, looked back at me, and pooped simultaneously. I obviously was laughing. I passed my first northbounder for the day, having yet to see anyone going SOBO. The trail then undulated up and down again for quite a few miles. I was pretty bored today, walking through mostly dead forest, and really looked at the trail to notice people’s footprints. There was a large footed person ahead of me somewhere because their prints looked the most fresh.
I stopped for lunch around noon and right when I did, a parade of motorbikes zoomed through - probably 7 in total. I also saw some bikepackers and asked if they’d seen another southbound hiker. Apparently just a mile back. It had to have been my big footed friend.
The trail ascended and then descended for a bit to a barely flowing stream a few miles later. I took another break here and filled up on water to get me to camp for the night, which was still 8.5 miles away. The rest of the afternoon I treated myself to podcast listening since there were some steep climbs with horrible rocks (like most of the day) and I needed the distraction. The afternoon dragged on and the climbs were difficult, especially so late in the day. Finally, the descent to camp started and I could feel rubbing on my heels: ugh blisters. I pretty much ignored it until I finally got to camp. During the descent I passed 300 miles (!) and then also had to walk a logging road for a mile or so past an active operation. I had hoped my big footed footprint friend would be at camp, but it was a lonesome night again for me. At least it was a nice camp with aspen trees and water.
I got set up, ate dinner, did some first aid on my blisters, and went to sleep, thinking about the day ahead.
