I got up fairly early, because I wanted to try to make it to where the trail crosses the highway.
I was almost out of food.
At 6:30, I’m walking. Earliest yet.
Not much water today. Just ups and downs.
I wake up at 8.
Eh. I don’t care.
It’s 10:30. In winter thru-hiker time, that’s effectively 2AM on a work day.
I arrive at the spot that supposedly has great campsites.
Had I known this was going to be such difficult trail, I would have made different decisions.
At times, the head lamp actually obscured the path, and it’s better to turn it off and walk by moonlight.
I drop by the store once more in the morning to fill up on water, and get an ice cream bar.
Then I’m off.
I wake up, take a second shower to wash away all the wilderness dirt that is probably still on me, and Bill and I go to breakfast.
It’s excellent breakfast. For $10, it’s a massive amount of food.
I exit the trailhead, and immediately see some broken down RVs and a tent with large plastic cold insulating containers.
These people have been here for a while.
Before the sun rises, I’m up.
Though I’m all cozy, the next town is waiting, and I want to make sure I get going before sunrise.
Sunset passes. There’s still light, because I’m up so high.
Keep going.
