CDT mile 2350.5, miles hiked 31
enjoying a Salazon chocolate bar along the divide
Today I had the realization that all this fun and hard work is really coming to an end soon. It happened when I sat atop Green Mountain and checked to see if I had a cell signal, I did and I checked my email. My good friend Sasquatch who hiked the AT in ’96 and happens to also live in Portland sent me a, we are moving, going away invitation. The date for the celebration was September 11 two weeks from today and potentially the day I return to Portland.
Suzy and Karluk await my return and I look forward to it more than anything
Wow in two weeks I’ll be back home, don’t get me wrong I’m stoked to see Suzy and Karluk, eat some awesome seafood, enjoy a craft beer and all….but that also means I am leaving the wilderness for urban life, a transition I dread.
It got me thinking about the past few months of my life. The sunny days of New Mexico hiking with the boys in our lord of the fly’s wild abandon. The hard work and cold snow of Colorado, the welcoming terrain and stunning views of Wyoming, fires, time alone and the Beaverhead Mountains of just a few weeks ago. I thought of my time with the Germans, how I miss both Buttercup and Cheezy and all the others I hiked with.
just cool moss on an old tree
I also thought about all that has happened at home while I have been out here walking around. In the time since I left my friend Sasquatch had announced that he and his wife are expecting a baby girl, he has graduated from grad school, accepted a new job in Seattle and is relocating. So much in his life and I’m struggling with the decision of how long to grow my Afro and if I should keep the beard through Christmas at its current bushy size. Oh well, life at home will sort itself out when I return until then I will keep enjoying the hike and the great state of Montana.
So let’s talk about today’s hike and the journey along the physical divide, guess what just like yesterday no water for endless miles. We woke up and got going at dark, after 3.5 miles we came to Semple Pass where a kind soul has been caching water for CDT hikers, there was a full gallon and about 1 liter more, we filled some bottles and chugged 1 liter each and then hiked on.
Hiking in Montana means sticking to the physical divide
The morning half was pleasant up and down the divide through forest and trees. We made great time and at noon we were at Flecher Pass which had a picnic table and the nicest smelling outhouse ever. We enjoyed lunch, pooped and relaxed with our feet elevated for a bit. Two cars came by and between them, we got 1 more liter of water. Just enough for the next stretch to Rogers Pass and the creek before it.
The sun was out today and the climb from Flecher Pass was a butt kicker. We were both sweating and trying to ration water as best we could. We finally attained the ridge and for the next 8 miles, we walked along grassy ridge tops towards Rogers Pass. We found a tree and sat in the shade for a bit. The sun and lack of water had me feeling a bit dizzy and so a rest in the shade, some food and water were needed. After the rest, I was well enough To carry on.
I finally made the creek and chugged water until my body said enough. We loaded up all we could and walked a half mile to the highway to see if there was a picnic table for us to cook on. Nope so as true hobos we sat beside the highway, cooked our dinner and talked about the grizzly signs we had seen in the ridge which included week old poop, holes from digging, and overturned rocks. We ate our dinner and crossed the highway to go up the hill a mile to camp. At the edge of the road was a dead deer, or a basic grizzly meal so we were glad to be going up on a knoll away from the trees and the highway for the night.
Rogers Pass is the road to Lincoln which I skipped
Oh, one more funny story. The guy came to clean the outhouse at Flecher Pass when we were leaving, we chatted with him about Lincoln. He said he used to wave hello to the Unabomber when he was in town. After a few minutes, he asked Tatu-Jo and I if we were a father-son team hiking the trail. Apparently thru-hiking is my fountain of youth but Tatu-Jo is looking older than he is. Anyway, we had a good laugh at it before taking off.
sunset from our camp
