Day 6

To be completely honest, that was as tough a hiking day as they come! I’m proud to have made it but my spirits definitely weren’t high yesterday 🙂

After Derek gave me a ride to the trailhead, it started out okay. I don’t mind snow patches but when I got into major north-facing slopes it became difficult.

When every step takes many seconds to place, you wonder whether you are even going to make 20 miles that day 🙂

After traversing a major field and ending up on dry trail, I was excited. I took this video:

A minute later I realized this was the wrong trail and I actually had to go up the big slope you see to the right.

Further adding to tired and sore legs was lots of bush whacking through burned areas. The trail often disappeared and before you knew it, the GPS showed it a mile away 🙂

After 12 hours of moving I pitched my tent as it was getting dark. I had made 20 miles on the map but probably walked 24 or so total. There wasn’t any energy left for eating or cleaning (I had slipped in mud and snow so you can imagine the looks!) so tomorrow will start with a good breakfast.