Category: Hike

55 2672.6 8/8/2021 sunny, clouds, rain storm, thunder. The weather report showed a storm approaching at 12 noon to 1:00 pm. So we decided that I’d wake early to arrive early at Rogers Pass which is 17 miles away. I was up at 3:30 and on trail at 4:20 am. It was totally dark so I used my headlamp. Overall the trail was easy to follow. I had to climb immediately 2 miles to a fire tower. Along the way there were two spots that the trail disappeared but Guthooks app helped me get back on trail. On the way down to Stemple Pass I met a SOBO thru-hiker “Cheswick”. He said he’s doing a loop and started with the AZT. Wow! We chatted about the Trail Creek fire and he is taking the Suoer Butte cutoff. I told him about my road walk. Afterwards I zoomed along trying to get to Justin before the storm. I got to him in time at Flesher Pass Trailhead. I was able to set up my tent and change my wound dressing before the storm hit. It included hail too. When it arrived we sat in the warm Jeep and both had short naps. At 4 pm I got out and did chores for tomorrow such as setting up my tent. The plan for tomorrow is for me to do a stop-and-go. I’ll switch from slack pack to back pack, get some bacon and pancakes and take off. I am trying to get past these damn mountains and into some smoother areas. But first I have 30 miles of climbing with a very heavy pack. My hope is to go 8 more miles, but otherwise 3 miles. Overall I’ll be out of touch with Justin for 4 days or about 57 miles. The longest separation yet. We shall see. Night night.

54 2655.1 8/7/2021 cool, sunny, windy, some clouds. Woke and packed up and on trail about 5:30. Start with a road walk. Then a steep climb. At the peak I could see for miles. There was less smoke in the air. It was also cool and quite windy. The climbs were steeper today and wore me out. At Dana Spring I found a wallet and posted on FB Class of 2021. Also I met a SOBO thru-hiker “Pop Tart”, nice guy. I got to Justin about 1:15. I wanted to go further, because tomorrow it’s going to rain between noon and 1:00 pm. Tomorrow I should wake up early and hike in the dark to beat the rain. I have 17.5 miles to cover. I’ll wear my rain jacket just in case. Also I have my umbrella if it’s not windy. I will immediately start with a climb to a fire tower. Night night.

53 2637.5 8/6/2021 cool, sunny, windy. Well here goes. How is my wounded ankle going to take to hiking? All I can do is try. Justin drove me from Helena to the CDT mile 2616.8 at 5:30 am. I started hiking at 6:10 am. He drove off back to Helena to grocery shop. I felt no pain and hiked easily. I did my first climb without a problem. At mile 2628.5 we met to eat lunch, change my bandage and see how it looked. The wound is still leaking but much less than yesterday. It was not painful. We jointly climbed the first mile and met SOBO thru-hiker “Delta”. At the summit I told Justin to meet at 2637.5. That’s a 20.8 mile day. Much more than I expected, but I felt good. This would set me up for the next day. We had brats for dinner. We changed my bandage and it looked ok. My scratches are starting to scab. The puncture is still leaking, but no major infection. Whew! Time for bed. Tomorrow I have a number of climbs and it’ll be 18 miles. Wish me good luck!

51 2616.8 8/4/2021 sunny, hot. Woke and packed up and was on trail. I left Justin and the Jeep at 5:30 and got on trail at 5:38. I was slack packing today. There were reflective dots on trees to get from the campsite to the CDT. With MIO I was zooming. In two miles I was climbing the only major climb for the day. It converted to a road walk with massive piles of trees clear cut beside the road. I met “Hobbit”, “One Speed”, “Just Paul” near a pond and chatted with them about the upcoming trail. [Note: Unbeknownst to me at that time I had met both of them them on the PCT in 2014!] They helped “Sheep goat” with his Glacier transit by allowing him to join them on their permit. They also told me about upcoming trail magic – sodas in a cooler. The road walk was about 3 miles and near the end I found it and got a coke. Soon the trail left the road and went through some blowdowns. On the first ones I tripped, fell backwards and ripped a 2” gash in my left inside ankle. It was deep but not bloody. I immediately sent an InReach message to Justin. Then I ripped and wrapped it with my snot rag. Finally I bound it down with my belt. I found I could walk so I continued albeit slowly northbound toward Justin. I got cell signal and phoned him. I explained my injury. He was about 4-5 miles ahead. He grabbed his first aid supplies and headed south while I walked slowly north. We met about midway. He removed my belt and snot rag replacing them with butterfly bandages and an ace bandage. We slowly hiked the 2 miles to the Jeep. We drove into Helena to St. Peter’s Urgent care. Soon nurse Michael and doctor Cassie were working on me. In about two hours I was released with two sutures in my leg, a tetanus shot, a prescription for antibiotics and a bag of bandages. After the pharmacy we went to the Best Western and checked in. Dinner was at the Brewhouse Downstairs. I had meatloaf and Justin had chicken.  We both had beer or ale. Well that was quite a day. Very unexpected but the adventure continues. We might stay two more days based in the doctor suggestion we should delay 48 hours. Although we had planned a zero day tomorrow we never expected that a gash in my leg would require that. Night night.

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.