August 30th, 2024
Mile Marker: 1687
Miles Hiked: 27
It got colddddd last night, so much so I slept the whole night in my base layers, mid layer, puffy jacket, and wool socks. I haven’t had to do this since the snow in Glacier National Park for reference!
Journey and I made hot breakfast and coffee and started to notice the sun coming in between the trees. Yesss, heat me up please!
We rolled out around 7:45 and I was grateful for the early morning climb as I tried to warm myself up. I could feel the worm of anxiety trying to creep in first thing and I constantly pushed it out, not today I said. Today, was all about positive self talk, using that encouragement from the people I love. I can do this.
As we passed a couple gravel roads we crossed one with a marker someone wrote on that said “You are enough” and I felt another surge of positivity. I know that trying to change my anxiety and worry is going to take a lot of practice and work to rewire but for the first time today, I felt like I could do it.
I tried to stay more present, enjoying the views before me.
It was a beautiful morning walking in and out of the trees. We ran across quite a few people as we passed multiple trailheads. Some stopped to chat with us and asked about the thru hike but majority of people cruised along.
Right before lunch we came across a large burn zone that made the forest look scorched. Whatever it was, burned furiously.
We then stopped at the last water source for the next 9 miles that we knew of and laid out our gear to dry fully from the condensation last night.
While here a couple stopped to chat with us and then brought up the AT, Journey let the man know that I had done it and the man said he had dreamed about doing it since a being a kid. I immediately told him to do it, it’s never too late. I could tell he wanted to ask more questions but they were on a mission to get to the top of the climb so they kept moving.
After a long break we continued up the climb and then for the next 7 or so miles we would cruise slightly up and down until we got to the big high point of the day.
I put in an audiobook for most of the day which helped distract me and if I ever started to over think my breathing I would tell myself positive thoughts and to trust my body. I also told myself to let go.
I had become so accustomed to being in a worried state it almost felt weird to let it go, I felt like I was doing the wrong thing.
We moved way slower than usual due to the steep climbs and higher altitude but we kept moving for majority of the afternoon. Just one foot in front of the other.
We even caught sight of this cute marmot poking out of the grass. They are so adorable when they stand up like this.
It was a gorgeous day, the views were incredible.
We passed a high alpine lake then a junction where we could either take the high ridge with no water and no trail or take a dirt road around with less elevation and water. This was a no brainer.
Once we turned off the dirt road, we started climbing back up on a rocky trail until we rejoined with the CDT before climbing our first 13,000 feet mountain. This was up to James Peak.
The climb started out gradual and then became very steep. We kept a nice slow pace where we were able to keep moving the whole time. Each switchback I would look up and feel closer and closer to the peak. You got this! I kept saying.
We made it to the top and I was thrilled. Yes! This isn’t so bad. We hiked around at the top and found a little rock shelter that I’m sure people sleep in occasionally. I was glad we weren’t doing that but nonetheless I was glad we made the climb. Majority of the day over 11,000 feet and then this climb. It was a solid day.
We then started our hike down as we planned 4 more miles to get down to 10,000 feet where there was a trailhead to camp at.
There was a beautiful sunset as we descended and we knew it would be after dark by the time we got to camp but felt okay about it. It would be earlier than the other nights.
We found a nice flat spot and set up our tent, made dinner, then got in bed. We can hear other weekenders around us but it’s a comforting feeling.
We have 10 miles tomorrow then a couple days off and I’m so excited for it!
Night Night.
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 