Day 164 (CT 2)

Day 164 (CT 2): 20 miles

I slept for 11 hours and didn’t get moving until around 9:30. I knew it wouldn’t be a big mileage day, but I wanted to climb in elevation to get that over with. After getting above 11,000 feet, I’ll pretty much be staying there for a while.

I ran into 2 hikers I met on the PCT last year shortly before their finish, Cheese Slice and White Rabbit. I had distinctive and interesting stories with both of them and it was fun to run into each other again. Given the popularity of the CT and population density of thru hikers living in Colorado, I hope I get some more reunions along the way.

One thing I’m gonna have to get more used to is mountain bikers. I don’t remember constantly dealing with them last year on the CDT but they were abundant today. I’m not used to stepping off the trail every couple minutes and taking a break but it is what it is. I feel like what I’ve heard about thru hiking the Colorado trail always involves some disdain towards the amount of mountain bikers.

I was having a pretty average day just climbing and climbing, until I climbed over Kennebec Pass. Then all was well in the world. It was beautiful and felt like Colorado. I was finally back up in the mountains. What made it even better was the feeling. It was CRISP. It cooled down and the air felt amazing along with the vibrant colors of the trees, plants, and sky. It feels like fall up in the mountains.

I ended the day early around 7:30, which is when it starts to get dark around here. I still felt tired all day and even laid down for an hour dirt nap in the middle of the day on the side of the trail. I expect I’ll probably sleep 11 hours again tonight. I’d rather get back to 100% before starting to push big mile days.

I’m sleeping at 11,600 feet, which is probably quite the shock to the body after the last chunk of the PNT being at sea level and then resting for a few days at sea level. I’ve been pretty good with altitude in the past, apart from random bloody noses. But we’ll see how these first few days go.

Song of the day: dumb-Nirvana