19th June
18.8 miles
Bushcamp (910.8) to Lake Camp (929.6)
My mood was low when I started hiking in the morning. It stayed low for most of the day. Colorado is beating me up, I’m alone and have nobody to talk to. People might read this and think, wow, everyday is so awesome. Well, I have bad days too. Just like that bad day at work. Although, a bad day hiking is still better than a good day at work.
It was 7am when I started hiking, and I was still tired. The trail continued its climb over the first pass of the day. Then descended to a trail head with many day hikers, it was a Sunday. I rested out of sight, I was still feeling down and didn’t want to speak with anybody.
For the second pass of the day I followed an old railway line. The gentle graded trail was kind to my tiring body. At the end of the old line I had to make it to the pass. Rather than follow the snow covered trail I made my own trail. I set a compass bearing to the pass. Lots of undergrowth, snow, large rocks steep slopes proved my choice to be a bad one. Exhausted I did make the second pass for lunch.
The third pass was not going to be fun. After a long drawn out descent I was faced with almost 2000 ft of climbing. It was slow going as my tired legs started to fail me. Ahead I saw another hiker. It was Big John. I put in some effort and caught him.
Together we crawled over the fourth pass and settled for a less than ideal camp near a stream. Big John nearly feel into the stream when a snow bridge collapsed. It could have been really nasty, he only ended up with wet feet. With no flat ground we suffered with sloping tents. Finally I was able to have an all too short chat before our eyes told us to go to sleep. Our camp is above 12000ft, I hope I can sleep tonight.
the marmots were my company in the morning
spot the hiker
big john collapsed this snow bridge
Next – Day 64 More Passes and No Water
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Let me know your projected locations for the next week — I’d love to find you and bring you some encouragement, beer and food.
That would be awesome, will do
Its probably from spending too much time alone – too much time to go to places in your head best left alone! Plus the tiredness it will get better
Could be true, keep reading I met a hiking buddy… Update coming soon
Your honesty is one of the things I like most about your blog. Keep up the good work, and hang in there! Tomorrow is always a new day.
Thanks Heather I will.
Thank you for your amazing pictures and honest feelings. It is good to share with others. Most of us know it is not a Sunday stroll and don’t know how really difficult and emotional it can be. Tomorrow is a new day. Am hoping it will be a brighter one for you!
Thanks for the kind words. It is tough and I’m sure I’ll be fine. Just takes time.
We’d all be nuts to think every day of your adventure is only glorious and up beat, and you’d be nuts to try to tell us tis so. It’s compelling to read your honest fellings and descriptions in your blog, so carry on in like manner, will ya? Tis always enjoyable and appreciated.
Thanks Jayne. But it has been great most of the time, honest, just recently Colorado has kicked my butt.
Thanks for being honest and open with your feelings. All of us have bad days from time to time, all a part of who we are, where we are, and what we are about. Hang in there as we all must do. HugZ and Encouragement!
Agreed. I guess some people think that I’m having a great time every minute of everyday. It’s not always the case despite the amazing places I visit.
Wow what a day. Do admire you navigational skills.
My navigation was good today
Pity you couldn’t camp at a lower altitude. I think that makes a difference. Glad you have some company.
Camping at low altitude seems to make a difference. I’m going to modify my hiking to camp as low as possible in the future, that should help.
Colorado is a beautiful but harsh place to be…I used to guide on horseback there and she could turn on you in a heartbeat. Hopefully her vicious nature doesn’t detract from her beauty too much…looking forward to meeting you in Wyoming…and I will have beer!!!
Sometimes I have to work to see the beauty when my mind and body is so constantly challenged. But it really is incredible here in Colorado.