I enjoy sleeping in as much as my body allows, but then it’s up and out. Zero schmearo, I have a lot to do today.
Tag: Backpacking
Day 64 – Push
Another early morning where I wrestle with the quandaries of fitting a bear can into my morning routine – you’d think I’d be used to this by now, but it’s still a struggle. How does Outro pack up so fast? But she’s packed and off like a shot, go on and get that pass, girl. Me? I’m a’comin, I’m a’comin. Continue reading
Update: On Track
Soooo clearly, I’m quite behind on these posts. Turns out that trying to write for Backpacker and my regular job back home and you fine folks while attempting 25+ mile days is a bit more challenging than I first anticipated. I wanted to let y’all know that I am still, in fact, on trail, and still, in fact, on track to finish – hopefully by the end of September. Oregon is treating me kindly, and I’m looking forward to Washington, too.
I am going to keep writing and posting, albeit probably at the same snail’s pace I’ve been recently. I’m taking super-detailed notes on each day – and between those and the pictures it’s pretty easy to reconstruct things as they were. Being down to the wire, as it were, I have to put finishing first, as much as I would love to write write write in lieu of some of this walking.
I will finish blogging about my hike, don’t fret – and I’ll hopefully succeed in hitting my fundraising goals for Big City Mountaineers. I’ve even got a stretch goal and reward planned, assuming y’all like people dancing in silly costumes. Meanwhile, thanks for sticking around – I’ve got so many more stories to tell you, and I’m happy you’re here to hear them.
Day 63 – Relax
It’s always hard to sleep in large groups, particularly when said large group is primarily full of thruhikers, often up with the sun even when we don’t want to be. Still, there’s something nice about sleeping in good company. Continue reading
Day 62 – Boat Ride
I awake to three mosquitoes still hanging out on the mesh of my tent. Apparently, it didn’t get cold enough to drive them away. Which means more are waiting outside for me. Ugh. I aim for a 7am walkout time, and, despite the vampiric distractions, manage to get my stuff together in time. Continue reading
Day 61 – Mosquitocalypse
I sleep in. And by “sleep in”, I mean “purposely roll back over when my alarm goes off”. Twice. We’ve already crossed Evolution, all matte in the morning’s shadows, so there’s no rush to get out. I’m aiming for a 7a leave time, and I hit the nail firmly on the head. Continue reading
Day 60 – Reverie
It’s hard to get up this morning – I’m usually racing Sprinkles and Homegrown, but they didn’t make it in last night. I hope they’re okay, and I hope Sprinkles is feeling better. Maybe we’ll see them today. Continue reading
Day 59 – Mather May I
I’m feeling well rested, but still rolling over to go back to sleep when I catch a glimpse of the time: 5:06. Damn. I meant to be up well before now, since apparently I can’t get my shit together of a morning unless it takes a million years. But I go at it doubletime, and it all comes together by 6:11. Not bad after two hours yesterday. Continue reading
Day 58 – Mebbe Little Pinch(ot)
I drink almost a liter of water in my sleep, think I’m going to have to pee a million times in the night, but my bladder is apparently a champion. Plus, it’s hot in here – I wake sweaty, sticking awkwardly to my sleeping bag – so no need for my body to fight to keep me and my urine warm1. I wake at 5:30, feeling barely rested, am pulling clothes in at 5:40, am finally out of my tent at 6, and finally moving at 7:30. What the hell is wrong with me, that it takes me this long to move2? Continue reading
Day 57 – Two-Pass Method
I greet the morning with a combination of excitement and a quiet sense of dread – we’re getting back to the PCT again, but to do so, we have to go back up Kearsarge Pass. Down was such a drag that I’m not looking forward to the opposite, but it must be done. So it’s off and back up towards Kearsarge. Continue reading
Brown Girl on the NST 