June 30
Today was by far the saddest day in the history of my hiking career.
I didn't head out until 2. I'm not sure how that happened exactly. We woke up around nine, which was already late, because I had made some crazy statement that I wanted to do 14 miles. Well, that definitely didn't happen.
From nine to ten, I fell in and out of sleep. I then woke up and looked through the People magazine I had received in my drop box. I then shared a loaf of poppy seed bread with Matt. I eventually evicted myself from the slumber party, but accomplished nothing. I got back in my tent to change clothes, and ended up falling asleep. It got to be about one when I woke up. I spent the next hour stuffing everything back in my pack. I was all ready to go at two, but I had to make a pit stop at the privy. Finally, I was a hiking machine at 2:15.
The first hour was an easy downhill to a river. There was a couple on the other side with two dogs. The dogs went crazy and probably wanted to eat me. I safely made it across. I then began the next hour and a half of hell.
I had to climb over 1000 vertical feet in less than a half mile. It was a practically a straight vertical climb. The views were great views, but it was a tiring climb. Once I got done with that part, I decided to make my own trail, which I found out at camp after Matt (who had been following my footprints) told me. Instead of following the correct trail, I followed the old trail. I was wondering why I wasn't seeing any white blazes, but since I was on a trail, I kept on going.
I eventually got back on the current trail, the old and new trail eventually met up. The rest of the hike to the lean-to was cold, but quick. I made it there by 7:30, which was faster than I thought I would make it. I was hoping Matt was close behind, because I was cold and wanted to cook some dinner. He eventually showed up a little past 8. I was a little iced lollie by then.
He wanted pizza, but I was too cold to get fancy. He set up his tent, and I quickly climbed inside. We settled on mashed potatoes and beef jerky for dinner. It was a delightful warm up. We stayed warm in the tent, and were glad we chose to set it up, because there was a pair of heavy snorers in the lean-to.
I didn't head out until 2. I'm not sure how that happened exactly. We woke up around nine, which was already late, because I had made some crazy statement that I wanted to do 14 miles. Well, that definitely didn't happen.
From nine to ten, I fell in and out of sleep. I then woke up and looked through the People magazine I had received in my drop box. I then shared a loaf of poppy seed bread with Matt. I eventually evicted myself from the slumber party, but accomplished nothing. I got back in my tent to change clothes, and ended up falling asleep. It got to be about one when I woke up. I spent the next hour stuffing everything back in my pack. I was all ready to go at two, but I had to make a pit stop at the privy. Finally, I was a hiking machine at 2:15.
The first hour was an easy downhill to a river. There was a couple on the other side with two dogs. The dogs went crazy and probably wanted to eat me. I safely made it across. I then began the next hour and a half of hell.
I had to climb over 1000 vertical feet in less than a half mile. It was a practically a straight vertical climb. The views were great views, but it was a tiring climb. Once I got done with that part, I decided to make my own trail, which I found out at camp after Matt (who had been following my footprints) told me. Instead of following the correct trail, I followed the old trail. I was wondering why I wasn't seeing any white blazes, but since I was on a trail, I kept on going.I eventually got back on the current trail, the old and new trail eventually met up. The rest of the hike to the lean-to was cold, but quick. I made it there by 7:30, which was faster than I thought I would make it. I was hoping Matt was close behind, because I was cold and wanted to cook some dinner. He eventually showed up a little past 8. I was a little iced lollie by then.
He wanted pizza, but I was too cold to get fancy. He set up his tent, and I quickly climbed inside. We settled on mashed potatoes and beef jerky for dinner. It was a delightful warm up. We stayed warm in the tent, and were glad we chose to set it up, because there was a pair of heavy snorers in the lean-to.
