June 29th, 2024
Mile Marker: 282
Miles Hiked: 24
The morning started out very crisp and frosty. Journey and I did not want to get out of our sleeping bags but deciding to do breakfast in bed always gives us that motivation.
We took our time and headed out after 8 AM, once in the sun we were all instantly thawing off.
The day started with an easy 2 miles then shifted to a long steep 4 mile climb; it had all of us sweating.
Once we reached the top, we then were on a ridge most of the day with gorgeous views.
The day was filled with big steep climbs and steep descents on repeat.
After our 3rd big climb we sat at the top and set out all our camp stuff to dry out and eat lunch.
I ate an insane amount and rested with my sleeping bag. Then we continued off with more climbing.
This was my kind of hiking. High ridges, vast views, and good people.
We kept bouncing between Pole, Taxi Man, Whatever, Fiona, Columbus, and Stove. It looks like we have our own little bubble.
Also while being up high I felt like I had a better view and was less worried about animals. I let my mind wander more today and I thought back to my dream the previous night. I dreamed about my one year old niece however when I returned from this adventure she was suddenly 3 or 4 years old and acted shy around me. After a while she warmed up in the dream and looked just like the younger version of my sister.
I’ve had the realization that I don’t want to miss any long period of her life and really anyone else who is close to me any more. My people and these relationships are becoming the most important priority for me and my future. I’m not sure what that means for me moving forward but it’s a constant early thought on this thru hike.
Each climb today steadily felt harder and harder as my legs grew more tired and my feet started hurting. We climbed over 6,500 feet of elevation total today, the most thus far.
After a long day of hiking we were on our final descent into camp and of course the CDT kept it difficult by having the trail go over rocks.
It felt like Pennsylvania of the AT all over again and all our blisters and aches came back full force.
We found a camp spot at the Lewis and Clark Pass and I felt pleasantly surprised when the people we passed also decided to camp here too. Everyone was just wiped.
At this camp spot we also had to walk an extra .3 to get water as well. But when you have gone so many miles what is .6 more. Right?
I didn’t realize how tired my body was until I sat down for dinner. Everyday on the CDT, everything feels unexpected. If you look at just the app and elevation charts the trail can look decent but when you arrive, it’s covered in rocks or actually goes straight up instead of a gentle ascent. It’s never what you expect and the common theme of the CDT is “Embrace the Brutality” which I’m starting to understand.
We had dinner with a view and now I’m listening to the birds and hoping for a good night sleep. I have realized this one weird animal noise is actually a bird!? So that makes me feel better. Hoorah!
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 