Day 143 (PNT 48)

Day 153 (PNT 48): 29 miles

Wake up at 4am feeling pretty good. Make a deal with myself that if I don’t fall asleep in 15 minutes I’ll start hiking. Renew deal after 15 minutes. Renew deal again after another 15 minutes. Fall asleep. Wake up to alarm at 6:30. Ignore that. Wake up at 7:30 annoyed that I overslept. Start hiking at 8.

It was another steep climb in the morning over another pass. I met a friendly couple at the top from San Francisco who was enjoying their flight being delayed today. I talked to them for a little bit and the guy turned out to be a NOLES instructor. They offered to give me some extra fuel, and I was excited because I’m skipping a resupply today and would probably be running low. But it turned out they meant actual fuel, and I don’t cook. I’m kinda like Cardi B in that sense

I made it to Hurricane Ridge visitors center and was disappointed to find out their cafe wasn’t serving hot food, but I filled up on Dr Pepper and a lot of ice cream, and bought some muffins to bolster my food supply.

I had been in a slump the last few days, just not really feeling it despite being in great scenery. I don’t know what it was, but I got rejuvenated at the visitors center. All I did was sit around and people watch for an hour while charging my phone and drinking some Dr Pepper. But when I left I was on top of the world. I walked outside and put my sunglasses on, feeling just like Don Draper in “Summer Man” walking out of The Athletic Club. Iconic scene, that I now felt part of. The only thing missing was me suavely lighting up a cigarette.

It was a paved walking trail after a little roadwalk to the summit of Hurricane Hill before I dipped off the highway of humans and back to remote trail descending 5,000 feet to Elwha River. It was definitely not a heavily used trail and it was a little rough, but I made it to the bottom and then crossed the river and began a long paved walk up to Boulder Creek Camp. This road was closed to vehicles but I didn’t really understand why cause it seemed pretty good. Better for me though, less NARP’s out here

Less than 2 miles away from camp I got stung by a wasp on my ankle which was fuckin lovely