July 3rd, 2024
Mile Marker: 359
Miles Hiked: 29
I woke up this morning feeling well rested and ready to go. I guess I just needed to be under the protection of a big tree to sleep well.
We had some breakfast in bed due to the cold winds and headed out before 8 today.
The trail kept us on back country gravel roads for most of the day which was a surprise to us.
The terrain was pretty easy going however I could feel the deep fatigue from the previous few days and massive climbs.
I slowly started fading behind the group and tried to remind myself to hike my own hike. It’s extremely hard for my short legs to keep up with the tall men and I am realizing that’s okay. I need to do what’s comfortable for me.
The views today were spectacular.
I also had a false sense of security being on the gravel road. I felt like there weren’t any grizzlies around although I know they exist and were around, the gravel just gave clear views for most of the time, which I loved. 🥰
For a couple miles the trail had us leave the gravel road and travel through trails again which my feet greatly appreciated.
Then we came back out onto gravel and every hiker has to make a decision to take an alternate trail since the CDT is closed. Either they can go left and go around and hitch into Helena or they can go right and walk into Elliston. We decided Elliston since we wanted to resupply food and get into Anaconda to zero.
Once turning onto more gravel and knowing we had 6 miles of that and 3 miles off the highway… I could feel myself slowly becoming very tired and uncomfortable, everything was starting to hurt and my mood was becoming melancholy.
I thought about why I push myself to these uncomfortable states. Why do I take 5 months to hike big mountains instead of cruising around in my car?
I thought about the first time I can remember really pushing myself to the limit. My first thought was when I was on a run with my older brother David, not sure my age but I know I was young. He was pushing the pace and I was on the edge of being uncomfortable, he then tells me “Let’s sprint to the bridge, give it everything” and of course I was going to. I wanted to do everything David did; I’ve always loved making him proud. So we sprinted to the bridge and I immediately burst into tears. He told me good job with a big smile and I realized that I felt good. It felt good to push and it felt good to cry. We took it easy coming back home and I realized I can do more than I think.
Our bodies are capable of so much more than we give it credit.
We played a game of watching rain coming in and wondering if we were going to get wet to just missing it.
However, once we were about a mile from the highway we got hit with rain and decided to put on our headlamps while walking on the shoulder of the highway.
I really disliked walking on the highway. My feet hurt and these cars are going wayyy too fast.
We made it to the general store 15 minutes before it closed which was our goal since it’s closed for the 4th and resupplied on food.
The owner was very generous and helpful and let us camp behind the building for the night. She also gave us her last breakfast burrito that was so good. My mood changed when arriving in town; a good reminder that moods are never permanent.
Journey also ran out of stove fuel expecting this store to have some, it didn’t. Luckily a man was there asking if we needed anything and wouldn’t ya know, the man had a fuel canister in his truck but it was ginormous. 😂 Journey decided to take it or else he wouldn’t have any more fuel for food. Figuring out how to carry it will be an adventure I’m sure.
Quite a few people around here knew about the trail and it almost felt weird having so many people ask about the trail. Maybe it was because we had just hiked 29 miles and I was dazed but I still answered their questions happily.
We then went next door and got a burger and a couple beers and now I’m so ready for sleep. 😴
Full day. Full belly. Get me to sleep.
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 