tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44308240988025448192024-03-18T19:54:10.588-07:00Continental Divide Trail 2013The adventures of planning for and hiking along the entirety of the Continental Divide TrailLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-24022122497179937882013-11-01T22:19:00.001-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.414-08:00152ish days hiking the Continental Divide Trail- A look back<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFQPw6XAAQHE46uJM6D6gF2907DQX2MvLzIprXde-qE3as9a2BGFmOLFqz_vsqIY_17UXG30iQhiPMHR39IqZwboX4mUqByPjQcDisnEv1EFkGtE1VyJBFWZg4LriwJXiQGSPIJ6xwoM/s1600/P4110022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFQPw6XAAQHE46uJM6D6gF2907DQX2MvLzIprXde-qE3as9a2BGFmOLFqz_vsqIY_17UXG30iQhiPMHR39IqZwboX4mUqByPjQcDisnEv1EFkGtE1VyJBFWZg4LriwJXiQGSPIJ6xwoM/s320/P4110022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Hughes and his trusty jeep. Also, Speed Bump<br />
and Estero. </td></tr>
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I've been off-trail for over a month now, which one would think would give me enough time to decompress from trail life and assimilate back into the ebb and flow of being off-trail. I have adjusted, but I notice myself taking quite a long time to reintegrate myself, generally by choice- I didn't want to get too much culture shock. :) I have had the chance to take a look back on the past 5 months, and below are some of the memories and people who have made this trip so exciting.<br />
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<b><u>New Mexico:</u></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrj6N5KGPx-5cmTkfOnzyddxoWy95kc0AoxRhlIsqsPs6jP45AYU7ExfCa8KDdCFBPBM7HXEmfCKMH2VUHWsnXbv3d93f7uO02qVnzycvAgONmYriBZivA36CXhD5rLHW9E0gPje53Ag/s1600/554245_629921420357976_60915990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrj6N5KGPx-5cmTkfOnzyddxoWy95kc0AoxRhlIsqsPs6jP45AYU7ExfCa8KDdCFBPBM7HXEmfCKMH2VUHWsnXbv3d93f7uO02qVnzycvAgONmYriBZivA36CXhD5rLHW9E0gPje53Ag/s320/554245_629921420357976_60915990_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Source.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUR5WonUfavVMbAnfy2gTbN3OMOTeH2aZIfpRlhyVhqosktKxQtThRrM4Mhlwu9Oaxfwe_KoA_vKxk4aj7W5uS3HeKfs2foKKvMmX3wiiXOWrHI91s4AuBrTzPC6vG5QTV2U2Jot2Sig/s1600/P4180073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUR5WonUfavVMbAnfy2gTbN3OMOTeH2aZIfpRlhyVhqosktKxQtThRrM4Mhlwu9Oaxfwe_KoA_vKxk4aj7W5uS3HeKfs2foKKvMmX3wiiXOWrHI91s4AuBrTzPC6vG5QTV2U2Jot2Sig/s320/P4180073.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Softwalker at sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz1gLNNbBIHDLawq1kMnffp604uzTgfzaPuIZrKHhxKj_aPx1t_9xFgb_O1r3zsPa4O3HxeJ8G7OH-kKE_84xllHaui2qQv8UcVtDdbnSV6Idck5JOJByHeei_yyW8xrNgEKA7yGqXB4/s1600/P4280183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz1gLNNbBIHDLawq1kMnffp604uzTgfzaPuIZrKHhxKj_aPx1t_9xFgb_O1r3zsPa4O3HxeJ8G7OH-kKE_84xllHaui2qQv8UcVtDdbnSV6Idck5JOJByHeei_yyW8xrNgEKA7yGqXB4/s320/P4280183.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hikers in Pie Town!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXZNkKuftnoCnoxd8Flr3DjiXRFSa6GHvxZ5sueTZLddB8vZp3IX1rm-1nRxq6Ccm84SYx38-mnhwGxG25Qda25vav9EQ9g38Z1Wnx6ENyle5_o8csNrDEkEr7N8Ilcj-Tw-as8pLBBo/s1600/P4300207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXZNkKuftnoCnoxd8Flr3DjiXRFSa6GHvxZ5sueTZLddB8vZp3IX1rm-1nRxq6Ccm84SYx38-mnhwGxG25Qda25vav9EQ9g38Z1Wnx6ENyle5_o8csNrDEkEr7N8Ilcj-Tw-as8pLBBo/s320/P4300207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruins in New Mexico</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb2vYxedEEcxIfE4QoeJrEU2qF17VlDVqkjACzArrfCoFUcTCdiUeeIaZF7zlE3ayxLWYV_TZXvYugi0HhHyrzhgbyoDQbRxOk5FrovDai_NHWA03axxJqW0IqOhAalWYluiuKdthaOc/s1600/P4300211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb2vYxedEEcxIfE4QoeJrEU2qF17VlDVqkjACzArrfCoFUcTCdiUeeIaZF7zlE3ayxLWYV_TZXvYugi0HhHyrzhgbyoDQbRxOk5FrovDai_NHWA03axxJqW0IqOhAalWYluiuKdthaOc/s320/P4300211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An after lunch nap for Softie</td></tr>
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-The first few days- meeting Estero and Speed Bump, getting dropped off at the Crazy Cooke Monument by Sam Hughes (may he rest in peace), tasting agave straight from the plant, that full-body soreness that only comes from hiking 85 miles in 4 days with a pack on, and the WIND! I hate strong winds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHtxoxGW03LMGVyK1SVl30zVa-OTuSRgi1fZKQqiQBomDdh60RI7Cga4_9NP1MCrIIMsTfl9u3N3H09a6EDENF-khbcLmji0etcpAg65hnwbCjNen_68rXBt-OaUV-fRWw2Y-AL5YkRQ/s1600/P4220128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHtxoxGW03LMGVyK1SVl30zVa-OTuSRgi1fZKQqiQBomDdh60RI7Cga4_9NP1MCrIIMsTfl9u3N3H09a6EDENF-khbcLmji0etcpAg65hnwbCjNen_68rXBt-OaUV-fRWw2Y-AL5YkRQ/s320/P4220128.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estero in the Gila</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVZhisWIgwoT-TtrF24pglESJYYEZ47rK7PUjm0KQBDegdR7vqY1ogDIJALtGsASAOKsO2UarfFE4o-W3LByob2P6dsK_g7wNLrorRi5OT_yr6-45LFDtATxFqFsom-ySNG0_Zl-Rmeo/s1600/P5080290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVZhisWIgwoT-TtrF24pglESJYYEZ47rK7PUjm0KQBDegdR7vqY1ogDIJALtGsASAOKsO2UarfFE4o-W3LByob2P6dsK_g7wNLrorRi5OT_yr6-45LFDtATxFqFsom-ySNG0_Zl-Rmeo/s320/P5080290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road walking towards Cuba</td></tr>
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-Running out of water 5 miles before the next 'potential' water source- which may be dried up or a cow trough, more<br />
than likely both.<br />
-The Gila- 1st frozen shoes, 100+ river crossings when the temperature is barely above freezing, cliff dwellings, hot springs, my legs getting torn up from the growth between the river crossings- some nights I couldn't sleep because of the pain of thousands of little scratches all over my calves/shins.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHvZWCaGXu37FXufDIedQt65euf7Ys_vwACY5Z0OTlctZQ6Ki7pDLQzy_xC_BlPrLDm_QozhDSr_NeAr8vVexTSuw3KFBxlohBxf0ACSXTJN4ujqO7Ee_FW-hYE0_dlNTqbrWvPp721Y/s1600/P5090293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHvZWCaGXu37FXufDIedQt65euf7Ys_vwACY5Z0OTlctZQ6Ki7pDLQzy_xC_BlPrLDm_QozhDSr_NeAr8vVexTSuw3KFBxlohBxf0ACSXTJN4ujqO7Ee_FW-hYE0_dlNTqbrWvPp721Y/s320/P5090293.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing sock laundry in the first flowing <br />
water source on-trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28jgdkhpbuqWLWPcBF_AOHlGq4vrK1ZtSaQouI_wnR3B_R-NH6JrAXbQjJyXrTolZxmu3gZvRwnW_n2I1-XRj8wHgckSS2ugo8Lg3FKlsBddVpHI2AYRmPFvtEuNXDAwihyphenhyphen1zLgCEA-o/s1600/3546_639142749435843_1172181507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28jgdkhpbuqWLWPcBF_AOHlGq4vrK1ZtSaQouI_wnR3B_R-NH6JrAXbQjJyXrTolZxmu3gZvRwnW_n2I1-XRj8wHgckSS2ugo8Lg3FKlsBddVpHI2AYRmPFvtEuNXDAwihyphenhyphen1zLgCEA-o/s320/3546_639142749435843_1172181507_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun in an ABQ parking lot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp2kWi-8nb46Pc_z8XAutNOduz82U0oWNqSqPatZUSQPN7m-pl00MvEw8AxLNC_smDxDLICv55HnrfhCPKZcD99pUvpEG5vDN6Hv-PH60ALbTVi51igv0EgaxXs0v-oE8W4b0m8Hbs_M/s1600/248037_641032335913551_679659946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp2kWi-8nb46Pc_z8XAutNOduz82U0oWNqSqPatZUSQPN7m-pl00MvEw8AxLNC_smDxDLICv55HnrfhCPKZcD99pUvpEG5vDN6Hv-PH60ALbTVi51igv0EgaxXs0v-oE8W4b0m8Hbs_M/s320/248037_641032335913551_679659946_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun back on trail, now that<br />
I have new shoes!</td></tr>
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-The extraordinary pain of having blisters and shoes that don't fit while road-walking. I was on the verge of tears most of the time between Snow Lake and Grants. Have you ever had that pounding pain in your feet from walking for too long? Now imagine it going on all day- yea, that. A special thanks to Softwalker and Estero for walking/breaking with me during these times- and reminding me that positive attitudes are key.<br />
-Bo and Flyby each getting themselves a personal pie in Pietown- Apple and Coconut Cream.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6NtQHqzaewIgostabcUxwWftNEki-ePzFFvVDRVD3IdzqYSWoL9oLqdoUToorIEwv8Ytj20hyRsc1M10qyIVPSqlF3lmZzhXIi4xVqQriXWIh_U8RkDUZUqWvXEG3eRHEeXap6LHdks/s1600/401919_642659472417504_223755500_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6NtQHqzaewIgostabcUxwWftNEki-ePzFFvVDRVD3IdzqYSWoL9oLqdoUToorIEwv8Ytj20hyRsc1M10qyIVPSqlF3lmZzhXIi4xVqQriXWIh_U8RkDUZUqWvXEG3eRHEeXap6LHdks/s640/401919_642659472417504_223755500_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then it snowed...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvTGEnpouOjk6VPPGRvK8u-u458walMEFxIq2d4milKJkWh8mzQw4AnsIfhK6J1fMx7MUWXmq3aW6ytit72eAyhfd1fmDaoWiWfH1iEz-lZsfO-tPfISFkaARiiaNUpDjuP3yI2vebSI/s1600/P5100310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvTGEnpouOjk6VPPGRvK8u-u458walMEFxIq2d4milKJkWh8mzQw4AnsIfhK6J1fMx7MUWXmq3aW6ytit72eAyhfd1fmDaoWiWfH1iEz-lZsfO-tPfISFkaARiiaNUpDjuP3yI2vebSI/s320/P5100310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking into Ghost Ranch</td></tr>
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-Going into Albuquerque from Grants and meeting some more awesome people- too much whiskey and free beer (they work at Marble Brewery-yum!), naps, and recovery.<br />
-Hunters! They were all so friendly and helpful. I hope you all got your turkeys!<br />
-Getting higher in elevation and getting thunder-snowed on as we were walking across a soggy field- which way is the CDT again?<br />
-The views from the mesas! The subtle nuances of the high desert will always pleasantly surprise me.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0OOZ2N4whdkQUgtI3U7wyEFmK8ZFqQD5C286yZEZRmeEMicpaYN_hJRp1csYqyCJ5Y4oH5iZQRqRxxPUXI4x6zysXbi0g_b3Ze1Qvof7Hz0bpzyV-wl83DpeEqA-WtdpTEq2qwqWW-Q/s1600/P5110313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0OOZ2N4whdkQUgtI3U7wyEFmK8ZFqQD5C286yZEZRmeEMicpaYN_hJRp1csYqyCJ5Y4oH5iZQRqRxxPUXI4x6zysXbi0g_b3Ze1Qvof7Hz0bpzyV-wl83DpeEqA-WtdpTEq2qwqWW-Q/s320/P5110313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Walking out of Ghost Ranch. Irony?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYC2My7qn3e_o8LLuJ1FoXgEoAO3K_gVWmnvcYAceKquNP2gbqgJ87zkizBFzYl7Vsa0rSspFgSpJUgvBNvKrKxG6UhfHa1YSHLvzrgm55LHPxcxuDNsdplmCppFGPWlyY_J6KkRFReU/s1600/P5150342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYC2My7qn3e_o8LLuJ1FoXgEoAO3K_gVWmnvcYAceKquNP2gbqgJ87zkizBFzYl7Vsa0rSspFgSpJUgvBNvKrKxG6UhfHa1YSHLvzrgm55LHPxcxuDNsdplmCppFGPWlyY_J6KkRFReU/s320/P5150342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp for the night</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxFxoMz-SG33QnuueaBMVmVso1pzxGBS-wYJu8WR6BrEZp09BwNTk0vO0_JOt9D8d6FK7m-za6TNvR9B_fSpaRVfpiG3XQevlDrIP8QDST50Z2lT9gKH-ona-9PByqATYGX6e3MqImU0/s1600/P5170358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxFxoMz-SG33QnuueaBMVmVso1pzxGBS-wYJu8WR6BrEZp09BwNTk0vO0_JOt9D8d6FK7m-za6TNvR9B_fSpaRVfpiG3XQevlDrIP8QDST50Z2lT9gKH-ona-9PByqATYGX6e3MqImU0/s320/P5170358.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Estero, and Softalker on the snow before Cumbres Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpLb1gk00D1NU62QNKvx9p85ZpKYFY_PbMs0nJETEnoozjlV8c8oo2mLqolaeQIMAj7097_ahlYZ0H1MkLP7R_Oj_AULY6Z0oPVkRHnCbgwXryS_VLUgyPu7FQqU19Dshs-tOzoyIPWc/s1600/P5200376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpLb1gk00D1NU62QNKvx9p85ZpKYFY_PbMs0nJETEnoozjlV8c8oo2mLqolaeQIMAj7097_ahlYZ0H1MkLP7R_Oj_AULY6Z0oPVkRHnCbgwXryS_VLUgyPu7FQqU19Dshs-tOzoyIPWc/s320/P5200376.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estero glissaded!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>Colorado:</u></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9GrlcvzrtRpHjm6rKfB3p-E1QpHHJV9nH4Xwe0xAJEvjiJFZKcvK21THhmvKdMYxSTTeGvAK2OU__7By8xFt8uzMsZB-voM_bcnx4MOshlY_HirGaPemiFCgCyv26xbyehSHrVLuukc/s1600/P5210382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9GrlcvzrtRpHjm6rKfB3p-E1QpHHJV9nH4Xwe0xAJEvjiJFZKcvK21THhmvKdMYxSTTeGvAK2OU__7By8xFt8uzMsZB-voM_bcnx4MOshlY_HirGaPemiFCgCyv26xbyehSHrVLuukc/s320/P5210382.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then it snowed…. smack in between Cumbres Pass <br />
and Wolf Creek Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
-SNOW. The harsh beauty of it, coming to terms with having frozen feet all day, every day(until near Frisco), the futility of trying to walk through/around it once it began melting, north-facing slopes and shade (insert hateful glare here)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8_OvoDOy-jfwaRlLM1T4T8Jawp_MNq1Ffxc9wPsuUyW1dRvFNUY8o2m0HwQ3EWnGfJjYnWR0CKBv3GTRHPeSmmQYt7d_02nhyphenhyphenuBXFOTaan1QO9MhDlRH1_7y7jieTaUXOCOo6JvceI8/s1600/248144_647960241887427_703828153_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8_OvoDOy-jfwaRlLM1T4T8Jawp_MNq1Ffxc9wPsuUyW1dRvFNUY8o2m0HwQ3EWnGfJjYnWR0CKBv3GTRHPeSmmQYt7d_02nhyphenhyphenuBXFOTaan1QO9MhDlRH1_7y7jieTaUXOCOo6JvceI8/s640/248144_647960241887427_703828153_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumpy and I crossing the snow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-Tt3mVg36pSZm864h2Rz1crLatS8L5yB3dPXzgBHF4iXxsMbm9FzoCMOcDi7VXwrGveyDoROf2yp7uJYlEv66vmBG6m7_Qv1jM858RfVCqET0FN21VYIz8-v6rHUjlbY6YeAhsbSilE/s1600/P5240391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-Tt3mVg36pSZm864h2Rz1crLatS8L5yB3dPXzgBHF4iXxsMbm9FzoCMOcDi7VXwrGveyDoROf2yp7uJYlEv66vmBG6m7_Qv1jM858RfVCqET0FN21VYIz8-v6rHUjlbY6YeAhsbSilE/s320/P5240391.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out THE Pagosa Spring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-Some potentially dangerous route choices- going straight up/down 45+ degree slopes, generally on scree, snow, or some other unstable surface. Climbing up and down rocks without protection above multi-hundred foot drops with a pack on (cuz you NEVER leave your pack)."Whoa, that's like a class 4 move!"-Max Chill to me<br />
-I do love a few things about snow, and one of them is glissading! We did it every chance we got, so much so that I tore a giant hole in the butt of my shorts before Wolf Creek Pass, and had to get new pants in Pagosa Springs.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY-_F89uQkH3sf7GH47y1Qwkwns9txg58PH080BH0KhPIlJRX6c20Lxk_WHOwfrnp9PCr38E3ySZCeB4iphpjAbQxFEAP9pHEp0Gc9Q8etrQuttyCNEFN3SxDTf7Opvi0KVT97fBzmYE/s1600/P5250403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY-_F89uQkH3sf7GH47y1Qwkwns9txg58PH080BH0KhPIlJRX6c20Lxk_WHOwfrnp9PCr38E3ySZCeB4iphpjAbQxFEAP9pHEp0Gc9Q8etrQuttyCNEFN3SxDTf7Opvi0KVT97fBzmYE/s320/P5250403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pod and Gnar catching up fast through the snow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
-Exposure- We went noticeably higher in Colorado, the CDT doesn't dip below 9,000ft and generally stays above 10,000ft the entire 700+ miles in that state. And the wind was again incessant. At one point, I was walking with my body at a 45* angle into the snow and wind trying not to get blown off the mountain, while muttering to myself and crying for a couple of hours- it sure makes getting to tree line more appreciable!<br />
-Map reading and group consultation happened a lot through the snow, thankfully we were generally above tree line, so we could see where we needed to go, we just had to figure out the way to do it that would lead us through the least amount of hip-deep post-holing while keeping us generally near the actual trail.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebVQEIF4gNrBypqIvlC4eC0DDsc8P33ewZYv86p6p6W__UwJnajcNqfkikYUUGwM4ttBX7NtMieCeHEKaUBfHMCpXsBT_tbJmzOIN636d6sImhszJ1-ph0lpVCYybIn4eQVNs9Ag_MJA/s1600/P5260410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebVQEIF4gNrBypqIvlC4eC0DDsc8P33ewZYv86p6p6W__UwJnajcNqfkikYUUGwM4ttBX7NtMieCeHEKaUBfHMCpXsBT_tbJmzOIN636d6sImhszJ1-ph0lpVCYybIn4eQVNs9Ag_MJA/s320/P5260410.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketchy alternate route along the divide <br />
instead of post-holing? Yes, please!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-As I've mentioned, there are a lot of natural obstacles through this state, and it made for a lot of people dropping off-trail here. We lost Waldo in Salida, <a href="http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=11842">Max Chill</a> in Leadville, Shay got off for a while in Steamboat Springs, and most everyone waited for the snow to melt out in numerous towns along the way.<br />
-I've called what I developed around this time 'Stockholm Syndrome' because no matter how beat down and exhausted I was by the weather, terrain, elevation, and lack of forward momentum, I was still in love with the CDT. How could you not be? Maybe I'm just a masochist….<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GIzbNFFBtMeXbzz6pmCdRVCTIaX7GcR8iBPQhnERJnTBwJ4yWoQRz_h221NOOMTpm0qN7riYF5DA744H4dBEkgY9leyouaj5PWKS4ticJyo2mIjngvH4ajNNpropo5U3yfuvWTlBRFI/s1600/P5290438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GIzbNFFBtMeXbzz6pmCdRVCTIaX7GcR8iBPQhnERJnTBwJ4yWoQRz_h221NOOMTpm0qN7riYF5DA744H4dBEkgY9leyouaj5PWKS4ticJyo2mIjngvH4ajNNpropo5U3yfuvWTlBRFI/s320/P5290438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then it snowed…almost to Lake City!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
-Hike naked Day! The first one I ever got to celebrate appropriately- it was awesome!<br />
-The woman at that lake south of Twin Lakes who offered comic relief after we just had been slogging through snow all morning:<br />
Her: "You girls should do the El Camino in Spain, you've already got all the gear"<br />
Me: "Well, we've got to finish this trail first."<br />
Her: "It's a total life changer, you should do it."<br />
And all the other people who inadvertently made me laugh along the way.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9szsqcqwWJu961j2JndP9OpGxGetY-ikrOwj0Laj-jXSbpordC2cyOn3A6Ny-mZbMhByX-DTQfcQL2x5qeseBwoW7efazEPXS_uBwnMrRzAgnmu5_AbJaYLUKDC788sX8v6p0z6nhmtE/s1600/P6080502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9szsqcqwWJu961j2JndP9OpGxGetY-ikrOwj0Laj-jXSbpordC2cyOn3A6Ny-mZbMhByX-DTQfcQL2x5qeseBwoW7efazEPXS_uBwnMrRzAgnmu5_AbJaYLUKDC788sX8v6p0z6nhmtE/s320/P6080502.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North of Monarch Pass- sheltering from the wind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-Friends! I am lucky enough to have great friends who live in lovely places- <a href="http://bethanyhughes.wordpress.com/">Fidget</a>, Whompus, Zen, CC and Lisa were visiting, Kim, and my sister and Brother-in-law brought my nephew in different towns along the CDT here. I actually didn't stay in a hotel until Encampment, WY, and we made new friends along the way.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiniR4zlWa-0fGoppieJb8b4sRmF6tuT3NsWgL6e9mDahBiu-EXRXn6F_SO26F1ut0wNX1TN_KxU3pxUQMd4GfsLZ6IMfXGwJfdHtCafPZyaK-OkYwkwJ474oyWRLoRgHJHlsm2GBEUSk/s1600/P6100539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiniR4zlWa-0fGoppieJb8b4sRmF6tuT3NsWgL6e9mDahBiu-EXRXn6F_SO26F1ut0wNX1TN_KxU3pxUQMd4GfsLZ6IMfXGwJfdHtCafPZyaK-OkYwkwJ474oyWRLoRgHJHlsm2GBEUSk/s320/P6100539.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost to Twin Lakes with a storm rolling across <br />
the mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW7gblosJue0IvOromKQyExzeVzFKaBNAg2VXo0dkGTVyrEktReaNo0rkCI9xIr6xwomJH_PldBRwPjPlzPdkX7XR_AscZW8hB6_F5rrCIlPNhbr5gZiNPncpdrsV3uBJPst8EuXR67U/s1600/P6120565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW7gblosJue0IvOromKQyExzeVzFKaBNAg2VXo0dkGTVyrEktReaNo0rkCI9xIr6xwomJH_PldBRwPjPlzPdkX7XR_AscZW8hB6_F5rrCIlPNhbr5gZiNPncpdrsV3uBJPst8EuXR67U/s320/P6120565.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly over on Mt. Elbert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFZxay3T_O4twtKUGMdjKERqDNvervztLYMEjGWWemxml8FlYPJhG-G2mS5JwT0OVvQ0Ea49rGjQw41KYw2LCWG4zk1IWjJNuHl_QVU3tI42RJUQHPJVEwtKTJZSP69LHgZfKhdnwu9I/s1600/P6200608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFZxay3T_O4twtKUGMdjKERqDNvervztLYMEjGWWemxml8FlYPJhG-G2mS5JwT0OVvQ0Ea49rGjQw41KYw2LCWG4zk1IWjJNuHl_QVU3tI42RJUQHPJVEwtKTJZSP69LHgZfKhdnwu9I/s640/P6200608.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards Gray's Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxGZVVYR9Km3EmKanCuSIHlijDZTfOoCrLFwvnXPEw15pWcWo04PbTFNN1SfLm1QijFjNZY-H4eECeaQjYN4Md9Zf6FZrqSBLFtly9eBp2O5TCLDZFcXqsij3IJi6LFdxS0qn0Bxtllk/s1600/P6220641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxGZVVYR9Km3EmKanCuSIHlijDZTfOoCrLFwvnXPEw15pWcWo04PbTFNN1SfLm1QijFjNZY-H4eECeaQjYN4Md9Zf6FZrqSBLFtly9eBp2O5TCLDZFcXqsij3IJi6LFdxS0qn0Bxtllk/s640/P6220641.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why can't we go around James Peak? ….Oh, that part of it seems to be missing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7gVvOrFNzIEVm3EaGSiIOKZxYJ-gJZEfeoYlunOQJKvDfocXjEKOhiI9sDBbQpZIkYF7JtKp3HcGSp0MWKPxaPMTA2p8dn-Tv_DmN_NU0BmiNQuRoYBhvFtgI6mreDil0Bv1jCQgQDI/s1600/P7030717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7gVvOrFNzIEVm3EaGSiIOKZxYJ-gJZEfeoYlunOQJKvDfocXjEKOhiI9sDBbQpZIkYF7JtKp3HcGSp0MWKPxaPMTA2p8dn-Tv_DmN_NU0BmiNQuRoYBhvFtgI6mreDil0Bv1jCQgQDI/s320/P7030717.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wildflowers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u></u></b><br />
<b><u></u></b>
<b><u>Wyoming:</u></b><br />
-New hikers! I (and a few others) started earlier than most thru-hikers, and the snow in CO hampered most people's progress, so I only saw 5 or so other hikers until this state when people started popping up all over. E, Balls, Sunshine, Dain, Sweet As, Mountain Rat, Beacon- just to name a few.<br />
-From Encampment to Rawlins was my first time hiking alone on this trail. I got lost, found myself, and enjoyed the solitary environment. It was good to catch up with everyone in Rawlins though.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqtJexhfaG3ExfECTRzgaKYLo5M8LP52UqcSA-xWL3ZZha9L8w3UcnyVcnnnSWpkY_L-dfzT1pQiLkKF101chdS8fbUFHYmJoJhSlfzJJqmXV8_-hpnLfFpWPGxykclcbFPtG_VDBCdM/s1600/P7050735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqtJexhfaG3ExfECTRzgaKYLo5M8LP52UqcSA-xWL3ZZha9L8w3UcnyVcnnnSWpkY_L-dfzT1pQiLkKF101chdS8fbUFHYmJoJhSlfzJJqmXV8_-hpnLfFpWPGxykclcbFPtG_VDBCdM/s320/P7050735.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
-TRAIL MAGIC out the wazoo! Hiking around <a href="http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=394388">Balls and Sunshine</a> definitely had its benefits through the Great Basin- Teresa and Butterfly's presence being one of them. We had water, shade, snacks, and good vibes delivered to us throughout this arid and shadeless 110-mile section.<br />
-Attack of the Grouse! A mean and defensive grouse chased me(and multiple other hikers) up to a quarter mile or so, trying to peck at me as I shoved it back with my trekking pole-scary and rediculous!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoJIEzC0poUiaAXZiRWh7pLPplZoLuohxPaZ1HNRPTh3wDMlQaetpX2HdeO1ix8-WUDcpo0cFEjl3Y2m2qrbEwFbQnhQO2NCzbcU_TCY6ABbiS28lah1_-Ud4WvWm6TLueXcnDsTeE_4/s1600/P7070764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoJIEzC0poUiaAXZiRWh7pLPplZoLuohxPaZ1HNRPTh3wDMlQaetpX2HdeO1ix8-WUDcpo0cFEjl3Y2m2qrbEwFbQnhQO2NCzbcU_TCY6ABbiS28lah1_-Ud4WvWm6TLueXcnDsTeE_4/s320/P7070764.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CDT marker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-Getting into Grizzly country. Pod and I were worried about bears going into the Wind River range, so we began 'training wheels' steps to avoid bears- cooking away from our tents and hanging bear ropes. We didn't see any grizz prints until Yellowstone.<br />
-Speaking of the Winds- GO! They are unquestionably one of the most beautiful sections of the CDT, and we only saw about 15 people in the entire 160ish miles. I've heard the mosquitoes can be tortuous, while we were there they were only mostly rage-inducing. We only got caught above treeline by a storm once- and it wasn't too terrifying.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42DMBg5uvMQlSAhjwN-pz7_K6RqoQ1gqLoaAW4qhZ0MPDS_jdD7Rv9hEZarvb0Sf0bvRtiQaG7Wp5AxQqlLyJ0yQucPnS7Epyacekn67YORwocIIVqRYtQrrgGLy1rbD3hQHT5XfD_ps/s1600/P7080770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42DMBg5uvMQlSAhjwN-pz7_K6RqoQ1gqLoaAW4qhZ0MPDS_jdD7Rv9hEZarvb0Sf0bvRtiQaG7Wp5AxQqlLyJ0yQucPnS7Epyacekn67YORwocIIVqRYtQrrgGLy1rbD3hQHT5XfD_ps/s320/P7080770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double rainbow coming out of Rawlins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
-Going into Jackson Hole to visit Emilee- such a kick-ass woman! As are all of her friends(kick-ass that is, not all women). The last time I had been to Jackson was almost 10 years ago, and a lot of memories came flooding back as I looked out the car window driving through Yellowstone and the Tetons.<br />
-Running into a few chinese tourists who had just come from my home town (State College, PA) and were in Old Faithful village visiting before heading back to China- reminding me again what a small world it really is. They were thoroughly impressed at what I was doing and just excited to be around someone going on an epic trek such as mine.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEatbZeQSCllMeeGych0Zir_w0VV7M2Yaw7p_gmb93alTKtcZdhvmN7sS59_Qe9O0z-vCGnLBbyjWs72kWHlm6N9PmDh7hbQFUV12PNhxJC3h3AkWo5N1-qdyLf7b9XmBQPopl0XnzgM/s1600/P7090776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEatbZeQSCllMeeGych0Zir_w0VV7M2Yaw7p_gmb93alTKtcZdhvmN7sS59_Qe9O0z-vCGnLBbyjWs72kWHlm6N9PmDh7hbQFUV12PNhxJC3h3AkWo5N1-qdyLf7b9XmBQPopl0XnzgM/s320/P7090776.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the Great Divide Basin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOrObm0IngRScitGnNzBLRMeQ7Tfrzq35bqkfGDZr7flONJeeh17_GgCJgGHOxywG0SYVD4G7_8McnhX7dcWQacwKKoX8h0ptXyZNaEN0Gpk56EV4iYFN-3t0BGSqqfexZWEaPgR7I74/s1600/P7170871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOrObm0IngRScitGnNzBLRMeQ7Tfrzq35bqkfGDZr7flONJeeh17_GgCJgGHOxywG0SYVD4G7_8McnhX7dcWQacwKKoX8h0ptXyZNaEN0Gpk56EV4iYFN-3t0BGSqqfexZWEaPgR7I74/s640/P7170871.JPG" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green River- the Winds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rSGUGWDd1UIvCGNHFe3lAnux-FmmCXYx6m21xfb0zut3yjPmqOF3ucIOG2dOBOUkGOnjMKmF6M9mNl5j2DGH-4oaHVgbz2QYcpf0scjPE_4O3YW7F0i8IjVfK_6PM5PC2qOpV7JdDRI/s1600/P7160837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rSGUGWDd1UIvCGNHFe3lAnux-FmmCXYx6m21xfb0zut3yjPmqOF3ucIOG2dOBOUkGOnjMKmF6M9mNl5j2DGH-4oaHVgbz2QYcpf0scjPE_4O3YW7F0i8IjVfK_6PM5PC2qOpV7JdDRI/s320/P7160837.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise in the Winds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm02KVEjD7LW1oDH-HlQ7hqb9CN44TDwLfYz6aYcu9EkT1n4-h_0VMFMY3rUZgG6RR5g9NTs2yj5u8WM9OLfvkBmYqpbAMHbXlPivobjtHMS7Z4cG3vo6zOia_yAD6JyNM8EZTtzdb84/s1600/P7160859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPm02KVEjD7LW1oDH-HlQ7hqb9CN44TDwLfYz6aYcu9EkT1n4-h_0VMFMY3rUZgG6RR5g9NTs2yj5u8WM9OLfvkBmYqpbAMHbXlPivobjtHMS7Z4cG3vo6zOia_yAD6JyNM8EZTtzdb84/s320/P7160859.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look! More of The Winds! Yes, that stream by<br />
my feet is the trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkwRIPwK3bYIUyK9JsKDJ304Umfd50Upsd71wpAH33FwONFqV3csYaYlklEwuEscTDIgtmGWCSBlru3yG5lHErgM06KyDq1mryAfKnlnj17dGHGwwImJ6VdjpvLi5Tkl_ldxjT6DIKGs/s1600/P7220914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkwRIPwK3bYIUyK9JsKDJ304Umfd50Upsd71wpAH33FwONFqV3csYaYlklEwuEscTDIgtmGWCSBlru3yG5lHErgM06KyDq1mryAfKnlnj17dGHGwwImJ6VdjpvLi5Tkl_ldxjT6DIKGs/s320/P7220914.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parting of the waters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIieexwMBFSqjFjxRZbdcJIXD2ESzjR_nhT3h_e7WSNl9Gs_f3lkLCEIGDmuYGZghoSueTl25pSiVZiMQ21IE5xLt11EdFz3o04j7tsI4XwWhlZGPOGnvebSX5BzWq-xtbwycexY0n8vc/s1600/P7270949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIieexwMBFSqjFjxRZbdcJIXD2ESzjR_nhT3h_e7WSNl9Gs_f3lkLCEIGDmuYGZghoSueTl25pSiVZiMQ21IE5xLt11EdFz3o04j7tsI4XwWhlZGPOGnvebSX5BzWq-xtbwycexY0n8vc/s320/P7270949.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellowstone backpacker fail. No people to be found</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ16PxDcxET41ggQN3ZYFMf8UXN04h8R7fRbyjSOTEuAk9ZFW3wPUNfk-hIfZFTPWpO_unO0e6HIXHNTKf_3C4D1vrUW2aKDwHIyUFIgCrU9kUzxhh9wahJKtQedF2NzkJAvdQqxn7MI/s1600/P7270964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ16PxDcxET41ggQN3ZYFMf8UXN04h8R7fRbyjSOTEuAk9ZFW3wPUNfk-hIfZFTPWpO_unO0e6HIXHNTKf_3C4D1vrUW2aKDwHIyUFIgCrU9kUzxhh9wahJKtQedF2NzkJAvdQqxn7MI/s320/P7270964.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geyser Valley- YNP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><u>Idaho</u></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiycpDV763TGKTnRgYTyPp9y_sxQTNUpBdUfyzJ9vxWyrgiUIAITzgqTzilg8svhgvkG37WvkmcTu8gfG9njZVOExHstoZjKrz0M7gFz5czbv6MWKKDr1fo6t62-3LX4NZZQ4GU6J14lM/s1600/P7290991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiycpDV763TGKTnRgYTyPp9y_sxQTNUpBdUfyzJ9vxWyrgiUIAITzgqTzilg8svhgvkG37WvkmcTu8gfG9njZVOExHstoZjKrz0M7gFz5czbv6MWKKDr1fo6t62-3LX4NZZQ4GU6J14lM/s320/P7290991.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting water in Monta-ho</td></tr>
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-Roller Coaster- some people had been warned that the Montana/Idaho border was hilly, I was not. We went up and then down all day for at least 4 days, plus or minus a week.<br />
-I learned a lot about the history of the natives of this region as well as the Lewis & Clark expedition. There's the flight of the Nez Perce, where L & C and their posse crossed the divide, and many more historical markers along this otherwise boring and tedious section of the CDT.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3nM9npnRxwmiVaQQA1e9FbwEdW32sQdwuYun36imZgnqxuJVxCY7g33qGH-foNDyTC7kLiQvLiO4Iij0AIlRkBBSidpCPvVN7yYCMw49RA8p8Yqx94ZmixxUxyToH1w67gZnUN8Cf9U/s1600/P8041032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3nM9npnRxwmiVaQQA1e9FbwEdW32sQdwuYun36imZgnqxuJVxCY7g33qGH-foNDyTC7kLiQvLiO4Iij0AIlRkBBSidpCPvVN7yYCMw49RA8p8Yqx94ZmixxUxyToH1w67gZnUN8Cf9U/s320/P8041032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cadillac Mtn, perhaps?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-Not all was lost in tedium, there were many beautiful views as well as my first up-close bear sighting! 2 babies and a mama black bear- she ran off as soon as I made noise, which left one of her cubs to run up a tree and the other to run towards me, then sit down in confusion when I yelled at it to run the other way! That was an eventful morning.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PRVvqBtB3phU6VMFqeRdELpTZUsSA9gHrK8RAzO-ka5VFwWiCKHTsZIAjKg1zPQUGMlED0Gbg8OtIT-iaJ-IVNZQ18hTMXPQjpMbWp985lC5Kn1Z1Fk-pGZNcw9an6wbRS-tolo3NTA/s1600/P8051040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PRVvqBtB3phU6VMFqeRdELpTZUsSA9gHrK8RAzO-ka5VFwWiCKHTsZIAjKg1zPQUGMlED0Gbg8OtIT-iaJ-IVNZQ18hTMXPQjpMbWp985lC5Kn1Z1Fk-pGZNcw9an6wbRS-tolo3NTA/s320/P8051040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I laughed about this for a full day, from when <br />
I first saw it on the map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflhS9AcNr71Co44IlmtTWM0UdtLd4MVMLTLOi_DJYzjRqhQ-DZF8OoDOroYbbZjIyiLGfhpj1NgkweI8jsghac8x_8mbUQdXVypgxe3tVbLJQIsPsO83LK5nbg7hThOC_Au5eNN12V0U/s1600/P8091065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflhS9AcNr71Co44IlmtTWM0UdtLd4MVMLTLOi_DJYzjRqhQ-DZF8OoDOroYbbZjIyiLGfhpj1NgkweI8jsghac8x_8mbUQdXVypgxe3tVbLJQIsPsO83LK5nbg7hThOC_Au5eNN12V0U/s320/P8091065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another beautiful view from the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>Montana:</u></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkyxfe7okrfBlqLdqr6SHSjKXfYqttHmmUNHHXSoZZMko4_CaHVsTLtzC2rHWAkHBz5Su27QC8nJOk74uLjyj9eEPyRAS_knEqHSNDz872ggRxFo_XcyuMhNXlXpdkjAFB6s5iFHpn9s/s1600/P8101080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkyxfe7okrfBlqLdqr6SHSjKXfYqttHmmUNHHXSoZZMko4_CaHVsTLtzC2rHWAkHBz5Su27QC8nJOk74uLjyj9eEPyRAS_knEqHSNDz872ggRxFo_XcyuMhNXlXpdkjAFB6s5iFHpn9s/s320/P8101080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I came up to this sign from the trail behind it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-I hiked mostly by myself through this state, hiking/camping alone from Anaconda to East Glacier- about 300 or so miles. There were dull moments, and remembering to be noisy (for the grizzlies) is definitely not one of my strong suits. I feel like it was good for me, pushing myself to be more independent than ever before was a real eye opener, and made me appreciate people even more when I did see them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3rNQACD6hhu8Pm2DKXuF-oon39Bi1-VBQikgrUIExCk5hmPmBIMctqUqqmtR2xdM5GnZkn0DtF8Q-y_qUwxRW8f04qxuwBjnmqsHS1vI6H2b6ONx30E_YMW8pKV1PR-BnaZ68yr_62U/s1600/P8121088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3rNQACD6hhu8Pm2DKXuF-oon39Bi1-VBQikgrUIExCk5hmPmBIMctqUqqmtR2xdM5GnZkn0DtF8Q-y_qUwxRW8f04qxuwBjnmqsHS1vI6H2b6ONx30E_YMW8pKV1PR-BnaZ68yr_62U/s320/P8121088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This trail and the CDT coincided for a while.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-There were fires going on all around the trail through Montana, and we were very lucky to only be redirected once- unfortunately it had us miss the Chinese Wall in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, but we were redirected into the next valley (actually going between two fires) and were able to still get up near the divide, and get above the smoke for some views. <br />
-Notice my use of 'we' even when I just said I was hiking alone- it becomes habit- especially as a woman hiking alone. In my mind, 'we' is safer than 'I', and it's my observation that people ask fewer questions that way.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNngdIG5AthiEvShvziyQRydRhpO00T0BQce1U8EDHbGeRaVxvqTWOvrYkOmwQfdRwEZyZZC5V1skc7DY2bRzfF2MoA1uzCUQdipsxESQ8xADhZBvwXM-7lW7NWXmgvJVez65R5upmN1I/s1600/P8141107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNngdIG5AthiEvShvziyQRydRhpO00T0BQce1U8EDHbGeRaVxvqTWOvrYkOmwQfdRwEZyZZC5V1skc7DY2bRzfF2MoA1uzCUQdipsxESQ8xADhZBvwXM-7lW7NWXmgvJVez65R5upmN1I/s320/P8141107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signage!</td></tr>
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-My one and only grizzly bear(s) encounter: It was my last day in The Bob Marshall Wilderness, and I had camped at a pass (alone). I was walking down from the pass on the trail at about 8:30am, and trying to make noise. I got water from a stream, and wandered on for another couple minutes. All of a sudden, I feel something in front of me and look up from the trail- a bear cub is on the trail about 15 ft in front of me, eating. We notice each other at the same time, and it runs into the trees off-trail to the right as I stop dead. I stand there, listening for anything and in a moment I hear a huffing noise. Assuming it's the mother bear warning me, I begin slowly backing up while grabbing my bear spray from the side of my pack and taking off the safety. I notice something moving near a small tree on the side of the trail, and look- it's the mother bear standing on her hind legs looking over the tree directly at me! The mother and I stare long and hard at each other as I continue slowly backing up the trail with my bear spray ready. She then goes back down behind the tree, and wanders across the trail, with her baby on the far side of her and they go off into the trees on the left side and away from me about 30 ft or so from where I'm standing. I stood there for a minute with my knees shaking so hard I wasn't sure they could handle my weight, unbelieving what I had just witnessed. I made sure to make a ton of noise the rest of that day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGvPxlLQGHgdaQE_b2Fd9b2UhzXaV-w5tT_WA2d6Np4bAmHK9PjpQwI2qRd-2XpxlSmylONMHnWhICrKl8dRkCRR4l5TFRRgUf7gHe_olJpH7hyphenhyphen9GJgApZqABZlJ8hpTEwoTNKKN4A84/s1600/P8161117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGvPxlLQGHgdaQE_b2Fd9b2UhzXaV-w5tT_WA2d6Np4bAmHK9PjpQwI2qRd-2XpxlSmylONMHnWhICrKl8dRkCRR4l5TFRRgUf7gHe_olJpH7hyphenhyphen9GJgApZqABZlJ8hpTEwoTNKKN4A84/s320/P8161117.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset through the fire smoke in Anaconda, MT</td></tr>
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- Glacier NP, even in the misty rain we endured through most of it, was definitely a capstone to a magnificent journey- I'd go back in a heartbeat….in warmer weather. I also found it interesting that we came upon a black bear on the trail about 500ft before we hit the Canadian border after following muddy grizzly prints all day- a great end of trip omen!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire smoke in the valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhnyHVIlwmOGH5vbuePBt3Yg9FQk3x6yFK2wx-Gy3gGMosGWWS9ZMxvscpB2e7ekKllrRmqUogD6ybPIybg89dYiTQewiZfa3mxOgWSvOzx7oDHETGZGThQnIGDFJPFWJZkWBbyHxpHw/s1600/P8271182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhnyHVIlwmOGH5vbuePBt3Yg9FQk3x6yFK2wx-Gy3gGMosGWWS9ZMxvscpB2e7ekKllrRmqUogD6ybPIybg89dYiTQewiZfa3mxOgWSvOzx7oDHETGZGThQnIGDFJPFWJZkWBbyHxpHw/s320/P8271182.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire closure list going into 'The Bob'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL8nsBqt-WbRHwlSaBXKqEtOsMlDdTehRL9rrPMEVe1x2vyc-xGHKtGcyxtVqivtOEIcq4eI5G8Mtv9UYpjsMsYujhaqhRPrJTDQ-f024CfX50fpm5fzz1VjqLVS2LB5-ijt6MCaYhaw/s1600/P8281202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL8nsBqt-WbRHwlSaBXKqEtOsMlDdTehRL9rrPMEVe1x2vyc-xGHKtGcyxtVqivtOEIcq4eI5G8Mtv9UYpjsMsYujhaqhRPrJTDQ-f024CfX50fpm5fzz1VjqLVS2LB5-ijt6MCaYhaw/s320/P8281202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closed trail in 'The Bob'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estero checking out the view in Glacier NP</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDyXp2glgQe0GmLjnyyjrsUUzaXxG_oroGj0sbcWcDNH3zxIRylGhZs1H8zBSfA-dN8wgj7iOmbwITuRpnSop9expPpP_LquVsMSGjosot_aCfocv0PnRov7XN39efJj5Kz1G_fS7T2o/s1600/P9071320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDyXp2glgQe0GmLjnyyjrsUUzaXxG_oroGj0sbcWcDNH3zxIRylGhZs1H8zBSfA-dN8wgj7iOmbwITuRpnSop9expPpP_LquVsMSGjosot_aCfocv0PnRov7XN39efJj5Kz1G_fS7T2o/s320/P9071320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small view across St. Mary Lake</td></tr>
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<b>Of Course these memories</b> wouldn't be what they are without all of the amazing people that make a town what it is- In New Mexico there was the bike house in Silver City, the hunters hat gave us their leftovers from the night before near Mangas mtn, the fire lookout guys on Mangas mtn, that guy that gave us a ride to and from the cliff dwellings in the Gila, the toaster house and Pie-O-Neer in Pie Town- Nita, Megan, and Kathy, the guy who offered us water on that long road walk into Grants, the gentleman who paid for Estero and my breakfast in Grants- "Oh, I thought you'd be a guy.", Sarah, Calculator and his roommates in Albuquerque, the guy that talked to us on our way out of Cuba, the couple I ran into at Ghost Ranch and then again in Chama- keep getting out there and thanks for the trail maintenance!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall!</td></tr>
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Then in Colorado there was the semi driver who gave me a ride into Pagosa Springs, the city workers who were just as concerned about my 'lost' wallet as I was (it ended up being at the bottom of my pack), Grizzly and his amazing hospitality, the developer who gave us a ride into Lake City, Lucky at the Raven's Rest Hostel in Lake City, the guy running the gondola at Monarch Pass, the guy who gave Max Chill and I a ride into Salida, Liv!, the general store in Twin Lakes for holding our packages- even as they were taking apart the post office as we walked in, Fidget and her former landlord for letting a bunch of dirty hikers hang out and recuperate for a few days in Frisco, "Have you read 'Wild'!?!?"(I was asked this at least once a week), the kid who made room for all 3 of us and then got pulled over on the way into Steamboat Springs from Rabbit Ears' Pass, Kim and her friends/roommates in Steamboat, Strider's cousin who gave us a ride back up to Rabbit Ears' Pass while asking us about the trail- hope you're enjoying India!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3xwWb89yGWq3295mqBBmiuPxoE5doSASVQAgw-umWRdhP5Hh7J7DdrkGcMElW2t7_hsQiVevRSLuG7EwMj1uzZq4JGUiKpOhptHT83yWIxr-Xh0oZ4C2eNdtRFAHVky1qt84KmA32mo/s1600/1374444_657814854229043_954454357_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3xwWb89yGWq3295mqBBmiuPxoE5doSASVQAgw-umWRdhP5Hh7J7DdrkGcMElW2t7_hsQiVevRSLuG7EwMj1uzZq4JGUiKpOhptHT83yWIxr-Xh0oZ4C2eNdtRFAHVky1qt84KmA32mo/s320/1374444_657814854229043_954454357_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sycamore told us to look happy, I apparently <br />
was the only one who heard him. It was pouring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyy5_rwOHPn7EP2rNs-WmYI4KsCyndTkeDmOvCcha2AgO-zvNsZnT5IIXb1u_jcWJqjhxa3KF4BqQnVKpTeGrP0IKwmR0WnVRZHkJ04ED6OK4z_9xzw0qnd2S76r94JAvri-Gdr2j6q8/s1600/P9081343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyy5_rwOHPn7EP2rNs-WmYI4KsCyndTkeDmOvCcha2AgO-zvNsZnT5IIXb1u_jcWJqjhxa3KF4BqQnVKpTeGrP0IKwmR0WnVRZHkJ04ED6OK4z_9xzw0qnd2S76r94JAvri-Gdr2j6q8/s320/P9081343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estero along the Ahern Drift</td></tr>
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In Wyoming, there was the guy who just moved to Wyoming and gave Bob and I a ride into Encampment, Dain's mom Kathy for being awesome, Teresa and Annika for being supportive to not just their family but also to their extended trail family, the guy who warned me about bears: "I'd hate to find your red bandana covered in blood out there"; Atlantic City was full of trail angels- John, the people at the restaurant, the amazing Beverly who fed us, let us shower, and did our laundry; the cute couple from Prescott who gave E and I a ride into Dubois, E's friend Degan who gave us inside info for Yellowstone and a ride back to the trail, the shuttle driver and his passenger who gave me a ride into Jackson, the people canoeing on Shoshone Lake who gave me apples, the amazing helpfulness of the backcountry office in Old Faithful Village and the postmaster Alex who allowed me to get my packages on a Saturday- I can't thank you enough!, the multiple people who offered us hikers water through the dry sections of trail.<br />
In Idaho/Montana there was the woman who gave us a ride into Leadore, ID in the back of her truck even though she had sleeping babies in her cab, the hotel owners in Lima- we got a flat tire and it didn't seem to affect your mood, the sobos (southbound hikers) who we were running into giving us (mostly) useful information on the trail ahead, the wonderful woman who gave me a ride from Chief Joseph Pass after backing up the highway to pick me up, the wonderful guy who gave me a ride back up to the pass, the guy from PA who gave four of us a ride into Darby!, the guy who gave E and I a ride back out of Darby, the cross-country cyclists who shared their beer and stories at the campground, the guy who gave me water from his front yard well after rinsing out my bottle when I told him what I was doing, the girl who pulled over and gave me a ride into Lincoln as soon as I stuck my thumb out, the random guy at the grocery store who gave me one of his beers after telling me I wouldn't see any bears in 'The Bob'(liar!), all of the friendly people on the first day out of Benchmark telling me how many thru-hikers they had seen that day, the older women who told me their story of being air-lifted from the trail after one had fallen and split her head open- she still had the staples in!, the helpful woman answering the backcountry office phone in Glacier NP who helped me with permitting, the rangers who allowed Sycamore to get on our permit, the ranger who was aghast that we thought we could do 20 miles in the day starting at 11a.m.: "Have you done this before?", Sycamore's folks for driving us back into the U.S., and all the people who told me congratulations- starting 500 miles before I finished the CDT!<br />
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I'm currently working on moving to the next thing in my life(whatever that is) after finishing up this amazing adventure, while allowing it to become a part of me and how I go about living my life. I believe it will always be a part of me, just like everything else in my past that I've learned from. I'd also like to thank you (yes, you!) for vicariously being a part of my journey and inspiring me. When there were times on the trail where I didn't think I could perservere, and then I'd remember one of you, smile in gratitude, and push on.<br />
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Wow, that's a lot to write, and it was even better living in it, so remember to get out there where/whenever you get a chance!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7GTSO_SfdLCnVfZlFCa9W5pT7Vaawd5uyssJWrhb2cyzyEfa1sn44NJBmojsuKn1lBlad6navXWIjmTDUdeYv0I25VWSXSN2SBxHX5ZJXDzkt1UiuKYt_bUnQPwnRGZcb9eay99Qh_o/s1600/P9091366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7GTSO_SfdLCnVfZlFCa9W5pT7Vaawd5uyssJWrhb2cyzyEfa1sn44NJBmojsuKn1lBlad6navXWIjmTDUdeYv0I25VWSXSN2SBxHX5ZJXDzkt1UiuKYt_bUnQPwnRGZcb9eay99Qh_o/s640/P9091366.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E, me, Estero, Malarky, and Sycamore at <br />
the Canadian Border!</td></tr>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-36282340533573965022013-09-17T13:53:00.002-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.448-08:00Mile 2700ish- The Canadian Border!!!!No, I haven't disappeared. I finished my thru-hike on Monday, September 9th, 2013 along with E, Sycamore, Estero, and Malarky(a mere section hiker) It has been a wonderous walk which I will talk about more in a later post. Right now, I'll just talk about the section I've completed since the last post- From Lincoln to the border through The Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park.<br />
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Technically, the section through 'The Bob' was on fire, so we were diverted around through another valley, which was still in Flathead National Forest but not in the Bob. It was beautiful nonetheless, even with the smoke from the multiple fires around me being inhaled non-stop. I was hiking mostly alone thru this stretch, and found it to be generally enjoyable and relaxing- no waiting, taking breaks when I wanted, getting turned around a few times in the 70+ mile reroute. I ran into Malarky and Estero on my last day before East Glacier, so Estero got his ear talked off for about 1/2 a day as we were walking along 2 medicine creek. Then into Glacier! The trail actually goes through the park before you hit E. Glacier, but it's not a very exciting part- quite overgrown and tree-y.<br />
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I had to get permits for camping inn the National Park, so I called the permit office from E Glacier and it worked better to wait another day before heading to Two Medicine, which meant another double zero! I know, thru-hiking's tough sometimes....well anyway, the hospitality of that town is amazing. Even at the end of their busy season, everyone was still nice and thankful towards us.<br />
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Then we went into Glacier NP, so amazing! Even though it rained (read:dumped rain) on us at least once every day in the park, the views we did get a chance to see were just stunning. I couldn't of asked for a better group of people to hike with either, with their dry wits and sarcasm, I felt right at home. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lewis and Clark did not pass through here, this is just named after them</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the divide- nearing sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWxPRHBueACrKfYJCgtgAQIJUNPOmoeqo_QKLET6pNgOcTUjE0gLQtNfpXJHZ9iERt75_fiLLDMK75jtifYLz3wspF0o9I_WnXzujad3g8NWdKbvE40GEL9NOt6MYMf66o2cHQ2BODQY/s1600/P8271173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWxPRHBueACrKfYJCgtgAQIJUNPOmoeqo_QKLET6pNgOcTUjE0gLQtNfpXJHZ9iERt75_fiLLDMK75jtifYLz3wspF0o9I_WnXzujad3g8NWdKbvE40GEL9NOt6MYMf66o2cHQ2BODQY/s320/P8271173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signage!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjOX2cGl1on1jhbAX8d0ogHcqA31LhL5AElaheP42tkPBOi0e5QihrbnWWqqpVodfU1aBY_vfn9sLjQWKNX5n3qkcfeiKCClB8PybzaN6MbiWzLpjACFaTbsZ-vIZOmVlk7UoFd9MuzY/s1600/P8271181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjOX2cGl1on1jhbAX8d0ogHcqA31LhL5AElaheP42tkPBOi0e5QihrbnWWqqpVodfU1aBY_vfn9sLjQWKNX5n3qkcfeiKCClB8PybzaN6MbiWzLpjACFaTbsZ-vIZOmVlk7UoFd9MuzY/s320/P8271181.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The map of the fire closure: red=on fire, orange=closed trails, yellow=the alternate route the CDT goes thru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdNXuCYARwfeaXp0dFBEe1j5izwewC1jv_p0B8mUxW0GtZ6GL5mr6GfbLkW8CmZBJsEhyphenhyphenPsZrQbu31KOstk_xzvKjIzCT7uZuhLKOFyf9xtlch7GYXfQ0_WiSaGZ6Bpv3zq9sZS_puwE/s1600/P8271178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdNXuCYARwfeaXp0dFBEe1j5izwewC1jv_p0B8mUxW0GtZ6GL5mr6GfbLkW8CmZBJsEhyphenhyphenPsZrQbu31KOstk_xzvKjIzCT7uZuhLKOFyf9xtlch7GYXfQ0_WiSaGZ6Bpv3zq9sZS_puwE/s320/P8271178.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you were confused by the map, there was a list of open and closed trails as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXosto6ulxo9jUnArD1LkJzKjPzGUhkFXO7T6e2iKuEKF9LHPmYt_DIFbYavmo8idvTJFs9IhuuJikAPVbU1QqZlXTAMfidTVuKeAeK04iGbWGcmH9Rxe3C8LkmKqFZZMI6CVc_5kGgGY/s1600/P8271179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXosto6ulxo9jUnArD1LkJzKjPzGUhkFXO7T6e2iKuEKF9LHPmYt_DIFbYavmo8idvTJFs9IhuuJikAPVbU1QqZlXTAMfidTVuKeAeK04iGbWGcmH9Rxe3C8LkmKqFZZMI6CVc_5kGgGY/s320/P8271179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benchmark wilderness Ranch- horses in the yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeh6byTHJZgWONjxlyTlmMfFrMIpd9wi8GNaOpC5DheUgiICHEoBfNT6ruD-cNL-Qy7xcDFIACxLihR-H4RuPjaQiudojpXmXGlavQXI7p_sU30ZYrG9b5p3D6CouuubTXH6uuXqaNc8/s1600/P8271185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeh6byTHJZgWONjxlyTlmMfFrMIpd9wi8GNaOpC5DheUgiICHEoBfNT6ruD-cNL-Qy7xcDFIACxLihR-H4RuPjaQiudojpXmXGlavQXI7p_sU30ZYrG9b5p3D6CouuubTXH6uuXqaNc8/s320/P8271185.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signage!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj2ES2UGW_KS920CodIw7pHIUVYxxydqlxpVGLZ_oqTrjEt9qfM7V5H8-qFM0rRepebETsChX__S8bt3ymrkw3Rs-lgzJGFq3k43MNYdzBcVaDhrtIZFwwcwlw4PJ20O7IZSrpekE3VY/s1600/P8281190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj2ES2UGW_KS920CodIw7pHIUVYxxydqlxpVGLZ_oqTrjEt9qfM7V5H8-qFM0rRepebETsChX__S8bt3ymrkw3Rs-lgzJGFq3k43MNYdzBcVaDhrtIZFwwcwlw4PJ20O7IZSrpekE3VY/s320/P8281190.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from my camp, first night in "The Bob"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7zljqNpa2XkC5GRup4VD2hDtOUgUv3zZ81YfSslkthjYWAIrQ6w1oino8RdeNm0bxxZkd292EtqhHB3Oo-bA9sugE9OhGQGDIgvHIhBkJ4aJGWaWuo-YISQ4kBRrhZ_EjVsOqzY6xj0/s1600/P8291213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7zljqNpa2XkC5GRup4VD2hDtOUgUv3zZ81YfSslkthjYWAIrQ6w1oino8RdeNm0bxxZkd292EtqhHB3Oo-bA9sugE9OhGQGDIgvHIhBkJ4aJGWaWuo-YISQ4kBRrhZ_EjVsOqzY6xj0/s320/P8291213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's smoke from the fires in the valley, not mist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xWB9OiL0dsdO-4bMYCmhhXICBdRCWd95aEqktcguHn7U3F2oP0nK-srSDnS_Kxla6SGKY_kTm1ab62kR9gWImVz-63fwEVX0P47tEynuA4KaOTNthBklrmE8RN7sdY9JLeS9XIO2LIM/s1600/P8291223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xWB9OiL0dsdO-4bMYCmhhXICBdRCWd95aEqktcguHn7U3F2oP0nK-srSDnS_Kxla6SGKY_kTm1ab62kR9gWImVz-63fwEVX0P47tEynuA4KaOTNthBklrmE8RN7sdY9JLeS9XIO2LIM/s320/P8291223.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCg4Rufo8t9RroLYqAERgtPMB1yTVrzIysubGlURNawMuZ1IIi0sXimtJOvShGXYigFniOy5zy1LnUNv2dF1OM2kSKHgivTt54ja7IrVyYnKUr9c6LUfs6XhtuUKd1kY1_sgza6qsT4BY/s1600/P8291229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCg4Rufo8t9RroLYqAERgtPMB1yTVrzIysubGlURNawMuZ1IIi0sXimtJOvShGXYigFniOy5zy1LnUNv2dF1OM2kSKHgivTt54ja7IrVyYnKUr9c6LUfs6XhtuUKd1kY1_sgza6qsT4BY/s320/P8291229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the storm roll over me from the front porch of a backcountry cabin</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e4QaEJ5NxQPWtD_6yorG-z7I49R1b7FPQYfFwLKcUF1iqLn0QOnVkvxZbxYXvYWyaVRMOXq5yO26qQOcg6zEBg7_zIkhVGhhxaX6V_ZdSn7etlGyVUMz62beek7N4jjm5Voi_1GqajA/s1600/P8301241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e4QaEJ5NxQPWtD_6yorG-z7I49R1b7FPQYfFwLKcUF1iqLn0QOnVkvxZbxYXvYWyaVRMOXq5yO26qQOcg6zEBg7_zIkhVGhhxaX6V_ZdSn7etlGyVUMz62beek7N4jjm5Voi_1GqajA/s320/P8301241.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thimble berries!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW00frmNF7xFCg7oJHHh7RFifOPoBO7yMeB2GZAMWbc3Ncenh3WNnMrJhGs6vX0BGvIzZ1hyphenhyphenzfWrqt3Rn4w7LdbIBYXtcpc5J3NpQKzPFhF40gByzLwnhAbimuHkUgF_FGzKFy6se-3uE/s1600/P9011251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW00frmNF7xFCg7oJHHh7RFifOPoBO7yMeB2GZAMWbc3Ncenh3WNnMrJhGs6vX0BGvIzZ1hyphenhyphenzfWrqt3Rn4w7LdbIBYXtcpc5J3NpQKzPFhF40gByzLwnhAbimuHkUgF_FGzKFy6se-3uE/s320/P9011251.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ran into these guys in E. Glacier- hard to believe we started the CDT together almost 5 months ago!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjZf9N0jhhpjKKgZL0uOyOtJuoXhZUMJN0Gv5t38LRr2rg479m2iIxE3L7iqVmLBtbrhL1gUoM3cyWYvZAIAaJkSNNCpLIWWf8LeLDPIqRUBOk8dB7jnDmMFS6ktDR495JOCsO-hza3Y/s1600/P9051263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjZf9N0jhhpjKKgZL0uOyOtJuoXhZUMJN0Gv5t38LRr2rg479m2iIxE3L7iqVmLBtbrhL1gUoM3cyWYvZAIAaJkSNNCpLIWWf8LeLDPIqRUBOk8dB7jnDmMFS6ktDR495JOCsO-hza3Y/s320/P9051263.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Two Medicine Store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb8dOBTVykLojYIXVjoSEtdw9iHvZrPdzR3YSMQgLWWG-gymQpzgNI1FyJ-HxRZLcjGmjPrt8vbakSURToCYbUsq8JgKaAuIa2qBY_cs6NPnCDrl19WsVVJZMc_JwZN_7_MsOcMKMsLk/s1600/P9051271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb8dOBTVykLojYIXVjoSEtdw9iHvZrPdzR3YSMQgLWWG-gymQpzgNI1FyJ-HxRZLcjGmjPrt8vbakSURToCYbUsq8JgKaAuIa2qBY_cs6NPnCDrl19WsVVJZMc_JwZN_7_MsOcMKMsLk/s320/P9051271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estero enjoying the view</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrWdEEd_t_BunMoqvhu0wuKnOUeCkmWIkPsMnqUkezw-16kZN4E5Kc51PeTFrb2JKBdUXBpubBZJFa3dmgwfFQH9KIpldO-kciAnNz3f7NjipvqeFYRkahCTViUj2ruJLRPHfBqxtL_Q/s1600/P9051288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrWdEEd_t_BunMoqvhu0wuKnOUeCkmWIkPsMnqUkezw-16kZN4E5Kc51PeTFrb2JKBdUXBpubBZJFa3dmgwfFQH9KIpldO-kciAnNz3f7NjipvqeFYRkahCTViUj2ruJLRPHfBqxtL_Q/s320/P9051288.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malarky on the edge of the mountain</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv9jwdbXIcc9DVXfbwVjCXQTIzDJ4TtXedxLG5Fu6RenGvbycOJvg7beT4NYaFHr7x8_P-1XTRSMrUl3J6Kh9-YhpmaVIj7b7OH_HWdB-gfToO9-7xn_mGnU7tcP2wUj3lqI0PwgS2iM/s1600/P9061313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv9jwdbXIcc9DVXfbwVjCXQTIzDJ4TtXedxLG5Fu6RenGvbycOJvg7beT4NYaFHr7x8_P-1XTRSMrUl3J6Kh9-YhpmaVIj7b7OH_HWdB-gfToO9-7xn_mGnU7tcP2wUj3lqI0PwgS2iM/s320/P9061313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sycamore getting water before we got rained on.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXjkaZ1Bfz3ocPnJ-yalLI5s6LsYcztvjpIPzWzMN-pG5hUZvrPNTY3ekTdFNWKX8YjZ2N2vd8miqjYH9CxlIWoqW68uewpS1uBfaePqXWyKh7xCdiFpnR4vMYWfMIz9owpAVfN0i3EI/s1600/P9061315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXjkaZ1Bfz3ocPnJ-yalLI5s6LsYcztvjpIPzWzMN-pG5hUZvrPNTY3ekTdFNWKX8YjZ2N2vd8miqjYH9CxlIWoqW68uewpS1uBfaePqXWyKh7xCdiFpnR4vMYWfMIz9owpAVfN0i3EI/s320/P9061315.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real friends share the dry tent pad.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypuMlTjZ_1UruknfLiqb5Mdk_0OYKUy4_yHHWWk83dlITiKaRDpvVTBwMfPTgzanJe8AJDYrDge_jQMhiDAqrS1ZWHmJPce0NKr86yaNy12oOEKHK8d44QsgVCF2OUEo61sQI3bV8Ngo/s1600/P9061316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypuMlTjZ_1UruknfLiqb5Mdk_0OYKUy4_yHHWWk83dlITiKaRDpvVTBwMfPTgzanJe8AJDYrDge_jQMhiDAqrS1ZWHmJPce0NKr86yaNy12oOEKHK8d44QsgVCF2OUEo61sQI3bV8Ngo/s320/P9061316.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kvbcy6eihHjBoy1k5VgBw1_ydbOc79U_WjWllYPCOlr8vxbRHOsZE0MMtqaQhf3xIzJkyApMsMEUwXGYf0bDZKaz6CPRQASGDNypvGIpNxwcRtpVsusK2sjp2tbHx2oABQCL1tMUky0/s1600/P9081331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kvbcy6eihHjBoy1k5VgBw1_ydbOc79U_WjWllYPCOlr8vxbRHOsZE0MMtqaQhf3xIzJkyApMsMEUwXGYf0bDZKaz6CPRQASGDNypvGIpNxwcRtpVsusK2sjp2tbHx2oABQCL1tMUky0/s320/P9081331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the rain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz7_OK9uQ9ytuW1twi-nRfy8ab9l51uRdubFUWGCi0EM488ijR-TK5Ogd3ZfyjeQZXOe2cj9nhyuvlMSTzrJ_2bhtEHjZ4np5JXZG9hXh-bk8n1Wo3iUSg-Bwccxu8jhyphenhyphenFB3QpN438sY/s1600/P9081335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz7_OK9uQ9ytuW1twi-nRfy8ab9l51uRdubFUWGCi0EM488ijR-TK5Ogd3ZfyjeQZXOe2cj9nhyuvlMSTzrJ_2bhtEHjZ4np5JXZG9hXh-bk8n1Wo3iUSg-Bwccxu8jhyphenhyphenFB3QpN438sY/s320/P9081335.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward Many Glacier CG</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6bHcQuQtx7A3K7eDMLdBcPJB0yUylxb8at6prdKmQ6I8ANTSaJlrUoH27KOfHUurjPeTiodq551P80D2Hv9d3KupSQWth3D8H7hMECafNb9xRX0y6ApmSprs77TlJgm_2LJEsnItMlA/s1600/P9081338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6bHcQuQtx7A3K7eDMLdBcPJB0yUylxb8at6prdKmQ6I8ANTSaJlrUoH27KOfHUurjPeTiodq551P80D2Hv9d3KupSQWth3D8H7hMECafNb9xRX0y6ApmSprs77TlJgm_2LJEsnItMlA/s320/P9081338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've officially walked in snow in all of the states on the CDT!(Minus Idaho)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkypuzV-MwJ3aOSetgP8b9HIgywS60UH6UZbki8klcz6rRHyh7okejP8TVcI5cBNm5I9Vjmgu928OWxQwtpKbayEWffQR3M4BnXiZG4gzZOApk2wyj14Xfa7JC5ycGMO_uQHTk65bzuiI/s1600/P9081343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkypuzV-MwJ3aOSetgP8b9HIgywS60UH6UZbki8klcz6rRHyh7okejP8TVcI5cBNm5I9Vjmgu928OWxQwtpKbayEWffQR3M4BnXiZG4gzZOApk2wyj14Xfa7JC5ycGMO_uQHTk65bzuiI/s320/P9081343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estero walking into the mist along the Ahern Drift</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzly prints on the last day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHZbn9gxjuIlZvkr_UPEX7vVaMc0UKy_AfnS67fFK8q77NSVAhyphenhyphenGaP-GkFYTb2AQOctpu-7Xz_v2tlpjR_VkacvViLJFblhMt_miqtu6OPPkfiDpB8seYoQGy-AljzWIDLnlEeZf15yk/s1600/P9091364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHZbn9gxjuIlZvkr_UPEX7vVaMc0UKy_AfnS67fFK8q77NSVAhyphenhyphenGaP-GkFYTb2AQOctpu-7Xz_v2tlpjR_VkacvViLJFblhMt_miqtu6OPPkfiDpB8seYoQGy-AljzWIDLnlEeZf15yk/s320/P9091364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome! But not really...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHdHoqk3yTNGQP2pSZAGvMJrWSXA3cCp4NxWpM0zvOZzeP9OfbOY1DC1RXi4bv8LXjUulwTJic7MiOOdF9Zf17xUzY73YRsPVkMI87xaWX1SQlnJblN4JknBco0ElORYH0bmXXhXLY24/s1600/P9091365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHdHoqk3yTNGQP2pSZAGvMJrWSXA3cCp4NxWpM0zvOZzeP9OfbOY1DC1RXi4bv8LXjUulwTJic7MiOOdF9Zf17xUzY73YRsPVkMI87xaWX1SQlnJblN4JknBco0ElORYH0bmXXhXLY24/s320/P9091365.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E, Neon, Estero, Malarky, and Sycamore are done!</td></tr>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-17030575941292631572013-08-23T15:32:00.000-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.358-08:00Mile 2450ish- Lincoln, MT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">I don't have much to say at the moment, just that my hike is still slowly making its way north. I've been trying to slow down to make the timing work out, and it's been mostly impossible. Once I'm used to hiking 25-30 miles a day, I apparently continue hiking at that pace. I have to get a camping permit for Glacier NP, so that'll forcer me to slow down. If anyone has any good book reccomendations, let me know. I'll hopefully be able to pick one up in East Glacier- my last town stop before the border. For now, here are some photos!
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmGFKSuZRN24NwoEH4qN9XIyQWSCE2aZoPi_nAvBPGJAjzgE8cDbitGKs5kGTQJ5iT8PxVdk0PGpUHaAyJ2uUKNQoNpJ7emEdxdhg_23KtU9hoyrNHAo5fFX2zUJ1qx-01FB8JdE_HTA/s1600/P8141108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmGFKSuZRN24NwoEH4qN9XIyQWSCE2aZoPi_nAvBPGJAjzgE8cDbitGKs5kGTQJ5iT8PxVdk0PGpUHaAyJ2uUKNQoNpJ7emEdxdhg_23KtU9hoyrNHAo5fFX2zUJ1qx-01FB8JdE_HTA/s320/P8141108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Storm Lake Pass. Find the hiker on the trail!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SE_xMbef6BiLbvp9fFrCS4MGloXHma_aOY8Epf5BUZ-gXlzhah3shxryAggGCwJJVK5LYdJ_ZwidShKBx3vGGpY9YL7I0JEkaEZCZT9XhMM7lzsTJR_W0q4Oywa_GP4itdw59kMjRVI/s1600/P8151113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SE_xMbef6BiLbvp9fFrCS4MGloXHma_aOY8Epf5BUZ-gXlzhah3shxryAggGCwJJVK5LYdJ_ZwidShKBx3vGGpY9YL7I0JEkaEZCZT9XhMM7lzsTJR_W0q4Oywa_GP4itdw59kMjRVI/s320/P8151113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treat this wooden water pipe segment with respect!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ1FW472HO5Pt78ctDxzh8LA3oJNaO3AbYKJBnDHdt-QNOBvlTYi0tCP9b4Z7-c1mipiXC3elxsENn9ZIS971c81i7cR4YM75_7scSeiTSDtTpNsoeMjU95X-gtezGvZ5qUF4pzGXR-Q/s1600/P8151114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ1FW472HO5Pt78ctDxzh8LA3oJNaO3AbYKJBnDHdt-QNOBvlTYi0tCP9b4Z7-c1mipiXC3elxsENn9ZIS971c81i7cR4YM75_7scSeiTSDtTpNsoeMjU95X-gtezGvZ5qUF4pzGXR-Q/s320/P8151114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a segment of the flume that carried water downhill until 2011...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiMa2D1DH_zSW0vuNLPQDwEvlKUBxycmoLpypklNirDtHQeC7zrZASAU9dDlKemzdXqa0yOxShEGrN0mAIWuS-cUOO-as4dvowwWrzmKS4vjRFZb1oH_M69qNotwfm8sQEkAO-PTELJk/s1600/P8181121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiMa2D1DH_zSW0vuNLPQDwEvlKUBxycmoLpypklNirDtHQeC7zrZASAU9dDlKemzdXqa0yOxShEGrN0mAIWuS-cUOO-as4dvowwWrzmKS4vjRFZb1oH_M69qNotwfm8sQEkAO-PTELJk/s320/P8181121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Attempted boarding up of an old mine?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KqKDjXVk2bk-Xqe8ViZTC26GMz3_Ri-ZfiPEb3VQbjrRHKn3HS0GoCuvMrcEUqBurn5EEn2oJW6heVzmdJvUXUiAkUe26sgcHp3a3fhjDSkyssXeVdoGkTvjvpRn23qzfvpn4IIReUQ/s1600/P8201132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KqKDjXVk2bk-Xqe8ViZTC26GMz3_Ri-ZfiPEb3VQbjrRHKn3HS0GoCuvMrcEUqBurn5EEn2oJW6heVzmdJvUXUiAkUe26sgcHp3a3fhjDSkyssXeVdoGkTvjvpRn23qzfvpn4IIReUQ/s320/P8201132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Another smoky day on trail- thanks for burning, Idaho/Montana.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyrG0jJIZ9Lbj2zBCp1apv9cCxmoaKNSREzc5xkLBBdiV85-QA-Qd_J5MXMFDzkdW0JR9OrytWALrman-UXFAuPO8p20o3q1YevFD3EXJ8ccQ8RLF19BgoCjOMg1eeDtiTnKwD5w0BmM/s1600/P8201138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyrG0jJIZ9Lbj2zBCp1apv9cCxmoaKNSREzc5xkLBBdiV85-QA-Qd_J5MXMFDzkdW0JR9OrytWALrman-UXFAuPO8p20o3q1YevFD3EXJ8ccQ8RLF19BgoCjOMg1eeDtiTnKwD5w0BmM/s320/P8201138.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Self portrait near the beginning of a 25 mile dry road walk.</div>
Thank goodness for a breeze and some shade!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96S7t_drr7BcE9tE2An3CdqNMOg8kjYsS8F1nT1T41WTm7XlpgfLiNlnesTbhTB5iy6ydrJkG9VzWifIS8hDyrOHry3kOajEsqaGIdKvDoVP4ox_CAVXLngFelo7eY5t7wPoyL5yURoQ/s1600/P8201139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96S7t_drr7BcE9tE2An3CdqNMOg8kjYsS8F1nT1T41WTm7XlpgfLiNlnesTbhTB5iy6ydrJkG9VzWifIS8hDyrOHry3kOajEsqaGIdKvDoVP4ox_CAVXLngFelo7eY5t7wPoyL5yURoQ/s320/P8201139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a mummified-looking squirrel at the bottom of this water source.<br />
Dana Spring, near Mullen Pass, MT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxS4_YcmLUxLSSN2S47uT_sX0vz_drUQed8ziaMqq2vYLTOopJEjOsCZvwBUnW4VLQ36YjBk5WUwjynt2Rk6YVjcpnfazihvzuPmye3tYDv_TdliuX5c8x-b2IJJZGROeW6GnplF0K77s/s1600/P8211144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxS4_YcmLUxLSSN2S47uT_sX0vz_drUQed8ziaMqq2vYLTOopJEjOsCZvwBUnW4VLQ36YjBk5WUwjynt2Rk6YVjcpnfazihvzuPmye3tYDv_TdliuX5c8x-b2IJJZGROeW6GnplF0K77s/s320/P8211144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning moonset.</td></tr>
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<img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVdE0QfQ8XIq40o_TMPLzAYoyr0yZzcruTrWmg7BdwV2Aig_xe7ILWC5nnkN3J367PMciJWhYstGCooaGs0QZKiQ1dGxxbJywE1TdnUv2NEc9-2p1LvIqSxkmDjZ_Sj6t_4wP5-DBWJ4/s320/P8231155.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 337px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2203px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVdE0QfQ8XIq40o_TMPLzAYoyr0yZzcruTrWmg7BdwV2Aig_xe7ILWC5nnkN3J367PMciJWhYstGCooaGs0QZKiQ1dGxxbJywE1TdnUv2NEc9-2p1LvIqSxkmDjZ_Sj6t_4wP5-DBWJ4/s1600/P8231155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVdE0QfQ8XIq40o_TMPLzAYoyr0yZzcruTrWmg7BdwV2Aig_xe7ILWC5nnkN3J367PMciJWhYstGCooaGs0QZKiQ1dGxxbJywE1TdnUv2NEc9-2p1LvIqSxkmDjZ_Sj6t_4wP5-DBWJ4/s320/P8231155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Hiker Trash gets around Lincoln, MT.<br />
AKA- Dain giving Sweet As a lift.</td></tr>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-21081809685987554072013-08-16T15:39:00.004-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.392-08:00Mile 2300ish- Anaconda, MT<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTQ6EQbZ87hOfMnQDizUancnD0TOgC0ZNFZrQwEETw4gEgl8ccCpDIG564cxNaONkd_4Zi6uqw4qFlYNpkyqy8pOc9MTw6t7b1vI-mYV9d5JqSw_hyphenhyphencvQFO7o3BmZmBBKMdXCo_OCWCQ/s1600/P8071051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTQ6EQbZ87hOfMnQDizUancnD0TOgC0ZNFZrQwEETw4gEgl8ccCpDIG564cxNaONkd_4Zi6uqw4qFlYNpkyqy8pOc9MTw6t7b1vI-mYV9d5JqSw_hyphenhyphencvQFO7o3BmZmBBKMdXCo_OCWCQ/s320/P8071051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found the end of the Missourri River! At Lemhi Pass</td></tr>
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Hello from the 9th largest "city" in Montana! Not much is going on here, as well as not much has been happening on trail these past few days. I've been going into and out of different valleys about 4-8 times per day, as well as getting beautiful views from the passes. As Balls put it the other day when he and Sunshine caught up to me coming out of Lost Trail Pass, "We're getting to the point in the hike where it's still enjoyable, but we want to be done"(or something to that effect) I've definitely been feeling the same way- it doesn't help that the terrain has mostly looked the same for the past couple of weeks. <br />
It is definitely sad when you get to the point on a hike where you're viewed out, so I've been trying to notice the little things- the beauty in the sunrises/sets (because of the smoke from all the wildfires around here), the animals and how they respond to my presence, the wildflowers whose blooming has been following me since the Wyoming/Colorado Border. It's become more and more apparent to me throughout this trip, as well as my life's journey, that I get to choose my mood. I choose whether my day will be boring or that the intricacies of the moments can be woven together to create something more. Try it sometime!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Bear! Mama ran away as soon as I made noise</td></tr>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-78590022896539372192013-08-06T12:48:00.002-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.539-08:00Mile 2100ish- Leadore, ID<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk9j7OlxO9zrW4wxgmh1jvGYPPQysCEZwpMc5jKDT5dS4TUUQ0R3RyAhjN77ju8u6EVYJd-ruABsxNO_VckJU45uY_XoouFMqlxpkmntEhlWKZZ6CgfaUUg1y0Nshk07Nhfs6ymobxcc/s1600/P7240928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk9j7OlxO9zrW4wxgmh1jvGYPPQysCEZwpMc5jKDT5dS4TUUQ0R3RyAhjN77ju8u6EVYJd-ruABsxNO_VckJU45uY_XoouFMqlxpkmntEhlWKZZ6CgfaUUg1y0Nshk07Nhfs6ymobxcc/s320/P7240928.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bears are out- my size 10 and a Grizz print</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d-y8DPPHXszVfTN08QQiMwRZWe9RaHsZ2McV6tQEW0sVIpDAMLN4k1KB1LtMmsb8pmDMc2rHMKT8iLRac5Mq7a7OSCfux5ilLXvRTbBYhvEuutFTl3Mbko-dFL-aBC3L06ChzFcI-wU/s1600/P7301007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d-y8DPPHXszVfTN08QQiMwRZWe9RaHsZ2McV6tQEW0sVIpDAMLN4k1KB1LtMmsb8pmDMc2rHMKT8iLRac5Mq7a7OSCfux5ilLXvRTbBYhvEuutFTl3Mbko-dFL-aBC3L06ChzFcI-wU/s200/P7301007.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The berries are out too!</td></tr>
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Well, I've nearly made it to my final state! We are currently, at times literally, straddling the Idaho/Montana border. I've been fondly calling it 'Montaho' and giggling a bit to myself, but that's my entertainment here on the trail. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl-kSf8yPyodkPMCvznBDC1wwxCtll3dInZmYd7WM8vyu6J__Ug0juGetEdrkTcFT5KbrIgGX12Dhct_lmfRYnHdUB2D7dbJ9ALgG2UgTHdWivcg-t2kyKVYzEPwloAh7qxFxK2cAHPE/s1600/P7250931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl-kSf8yPyodkPMCvznBDC1wwxCtll3dInZmYd7WM8vyu6J__Ug0juGetEdrkTcFT5KbrIgGX12Dhct_lmfRYnHdUB2D7dbJ9ALgG2UgTHdWivcg-t2kyKVYzEPwloAh7qxFxK2cAHPE/s320/P7250931.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music on Main in Victor, ID</td></tr>
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After leaving Dubois, I hike for a few days into Yellowstone NP and then promptly hitched into Jackson to visit a PCT friend of mine- Emilee- and hang out with her for a few days. After delicious fresh greens, a concert in Victor, ID, a couple naps, and sooo much good friend hang out time I was back in Yellowstone hiking in a generally northerly direction. I've also ran into my first of many southbound CDT hikers in the park, and everyone's been quite friendly. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNZUZc2jooscRUaPjQgPoAsBrgbJr-pBz4pppkyBjxCTZIK4wOpLgTXtx5ldF-llJGXxSclLSLYVuYhF9hF2Um7-7c6eRQOko8J3JmM1BjMoD9ZMKXecyS9FvtEEiOxf7cDHRv47qpf8/s1600/P7260934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNZUZc2jooscRUaPjQgPoAsBrgbJr-pBz4pppkyBjxCTZIK4wOpLgTXtx5ldF-llJGXxSclLSLYVuYhF9hF2Um7-7c6eRQOko8J3JmM1BjMoD9ZMKXecyS9FvtEEiOxf7cDHRv47qpf8/s320/P7260934.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoers offered to take me across the Lewis River. With Shoshone Lake.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Getting out of Yellowstone, I began hiking with E again, and we have run into TONS of southbounders, and have been trying to give them useful info- where the dry spots are, what the terrain's like, etc. We've been following the border since we left the park, and it's been very up and down which is interesting, since Yellowstone was quite flat. I'm working on getting my leg muscles used to climbing again. On to actual Montana! I should be in Anaconda in about 10 days or so, which is about 1/2 way through MT.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKspn5hmPfEqWQkLssKxTIQB5deZdoWsNcOk4QZHp7m7wIG53n_wv6eexJ8n9L_LpZAP_HaX8Il3cT9Vr8J3MlyPIzA2SowepcKkFcQtpnZvayFhmrw0jeUpOmE-E63Ly4u8JieZjF6M/s1600/P7270950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKspn5hmPfEqWQkLssKxTIQB5deZdoWsNcOk4QZHp7m7wIG53n_wv6eexJ8n9L_LpZAP_HaX8Il3cT9Vr8J3MlyPIzA2SowepcKkFcQtpnZvayFhmrw0jeUpOmE-E63Ly4u8JieZjF6M/s400/P7270950.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old shoes/new shoes in Old Faithful Village.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFklT8cd07b5C-QrzOD2RRiVMXOu1ySrTA6WA7yiyD0zTUOAiL3nZleBa1zOKGwr9NpXK9fjVZXIur4bsHChNUjLl_-tKxa3pPv1e9vqGTVRPfpGdoxURsemAUzXMKAERFyL_pvIYRnzc/s1600/P7270964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFklT8cd07b5C-QrzOD2RRiVMXOu1ySrTA6WA7yiyD0zTUOAiL3nZleBa1zOKGwr9NpXK9fjVZXIur4bsHChNUjLl_-tKxa3pPv1e9vqGTVRPfpGdoxURsemAUzXMKAERFyL_pvIYRnzc/s400/P7270964.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourists on the boardwalk out of O.F. Village</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Idaho!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJguCSw0TC8HWo6KX3ep0eBOKMHE6wp6W51p1ifPhyphenhyphenCwjWVrYYDyw3_gSIEawAjMbylqmQATgugAu1riGxkk29hsRfTW1ujnwwaO0AZqdO_Ld7gE8B_zO3mUvzt3WaTcRulZqzQw86NA/s1600/P7300998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJguCSw0TC8HWo6KX3ep0eBOKMHE6wp6W51p1ifPhyphenhyphenCwjWVrYYDyw3_gSIEawAjMbylqmQATgugAu1riGxkk29hsRfTW1ujnwwaO0AZqdO_Ld7gE8B_zO3mUvzt3WaTcRulZqzQw86NA/s400/P7300998.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SoBo Smiles!(a PCT friend)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n-jlW-HhAriZDasdIEUkyMidWxYKhHfbDiOaPiSu5ZBZUQZtRgTgNQQ77dswrR7JFUFK2-kiQO-xXELiXhcSRYeDA5VOwLZDdRUmC2F6Dsrgbkv84F8z4caUcmlef6_n7G0jgwUCONw/s1600/P7301003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n-jlW-HhAriZDasdIEUkyMidWxYKhHfbDiOaPiSu5ZBZUQZtRgTgNQQ77dswrR7JFUFK2-kiQO-xXELiXhcSRYeDA5VOwLZDdRUmC2F6Dsrgbkv84F8z4caUcmlef6_n7G0jgwUCONw/s400/P7301003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A storm rolling in over the mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the fenceline on the ID/MT border</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big sky Country, indeed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E and our hitch into Leadore.</td></tr>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-22519812207684487872013-07-20T14:47:00.001-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.403-08:00Mile 2100ish- Dubois, WY<div style="text-align: center;">
"Be careful of bears around here. I'd hate to find your (looks me over) red bandana laying in the woods soaked in blood"</div>
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-Man on a 4-wheeler outside of Encampment with a pistol on his hip</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5L5Th_9gdEOstYYEwLh8bboE3Ikdpz-3lDQd9U6BBSJ7HFaBX-ZMHqdruUMUIH-HewjoVb9VU7jHXB6LAhm51cBeXkbw90VctnGjK5o9srLblgdbxmVtOAUiHdsSYXBDtopg-OKVrcU/s1600/P7030720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5L5Th_9gdEOstYYEwLh8bboE3Ikdpz-3lDQd9U6BBSJ7HFaBX-ZMHqdruUMUIH-HewjoVb9VU7jHXB6LAhm51cBeXkbw90VctnGjK5o9srLblgdbxmVtOAUiHdsSYXBDtopg-OKVrcU/s320/P7030720.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to Wyoming!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0CcrZOlFMwzkWRm8NnysXWNx0iLWZ5BnDzpMeO-YKG5pAXZjHoqaSrlARxS_BohET9qtCyuEW5mcPot_gg1Axe9qVXcKskiWZrxhIb3PIQ44mQtbM4BtP_pAbSZbGVYYmoXMl2tE9lo/s1600/P7060761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0CcrZOlFMwzkWRm8NnysXWNx0iLWZ5BnDzpMeO-YKG5pAXZjHoqaSrlARxS_BohET9qtCyuEW5mcPot_gg1Axe9qVXcKskiWZrxhIb3PIQ44mQtbM4BtP_pAbSZbGVYYmoXMl2tE9lo/s200/P7060761.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Call Don for info</td></tr>
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Man, it seems as though these past few weeks have flown by now that they're over. Though, as I was walking through the desert before Rawlins, wondering where the shade was or going up a steep pass for the third time in a day in the Winds; time seemed to go so slow. It's amazing how relative a thing time becomes when you spend most of your waking hours hiking north with nothing to destract you from your wandering mind. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSU9AIddAF19MS4H5Hyhnkf9A0SjtkN-F7nSx5ish7d67ap-tepIPwCtMwPYpsj8xV-lEsbveBy0msLpgLPFxIrOKMJ_UsvHmNqwDnAXG_ZtPTNf588TT4MjOTBv1swaStkAIQ51N-02M/s1600/P7040732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSU9AIddAF19MS4H5Hyhnkf9A0SjtkN-F7nSx5ish7d67ap-tepIPwCtMwPYpsj8xV-lEsbveBy0msLpgLPFxIrOKMJ_UsvHmNqwDnAXG_ZtPTNf588TT4MjOTBv1swaStkAIQ51N-02M/s320/P7040732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, I didn't use the zoom on this photo</td></tr>
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From Steamboat, we went back up into the mountains of Colorado, only with heat and bugs being our adversaries instead of wind and snow- my how quickly the seasons change. Entering into Wyoming a couple days later, Bob, Speedbump, and I got the wonderful opportunity to catch the fourth of July fireworks in Encampment, WY. The firefighters of the town were setting them off in the baseball field- lighting them by hand with acetaline torches. Ahhh, small town america. <br />
Then I was off to Rawlins, hiking alone for the first time on this trip, which I must say was very enjoyable even when I was getting lost on a daily basis. It's nice to know I can be self-sufficient and find my way from one place to another eventually.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyGqaNUOJdUeAuN4QtoKTdiU8TjsBBs7HiQk9ccndVuwqpDi4bpM3Pg79OXV4ggflN_LcasWhT8hYcTGse_mqyPvqOae3AIRKyf9EMFjQJzjlKaqV7UJNTXeYey21tF7hmPvWDdvc4ek/s1600/P7080770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyGqaNUOJdUeAuN4QtoKTdiU8TjsBBs7HiQk9ccndVuwqpDi4bpM3Pg79OXV4ggflN_LcasWhT8hYcTGse_mqyPvqOae3AIRKyf9EMFjQJzjlKaqV7UJNTXeYey21tF7hmPvWDdvc4ek/s320/P7080770.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double rainbow leaving Rawlins!</td></tr>
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After Rawlins, I met up with Pod and Gnar again, and we began hiking into the Red desert- It was quite hot and inhospitable. Luckily, we were hiking near Balls and Sunshine who were being car supported by Balls' wife and Sunshine's mom, Teresa. Just when I didn't think I could get any hotter, they'd come driving by and offer me a cold soda or some water or watermelon! It was a revitalizer for sure, I felt spoiled by them at times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi86qK8nam5sjVsN4Gby6trdtLx9rU_YxXckBZA826C1D_BkznkITWyCc46srcOpkKY0pvvM_7juia9gcGK3EEWxPKn-Thq8ZLy37bvkXDvKQTtywVe3AOYL9-VHlAWcNY6Im6v-3WNSo/s1600/P7090775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi86qK8nam5sjVsN4Gby6trdtLx9rU_YxXckBZA826C1D_BkznkITWyCc46srcOpkKY0pvvM_7juia9gcGK3EEWxPKn-Thq8ZLy37bvkXDvKQTtywVe3AOYL9-VHlAWcNY6Im6v-3WNSo/s320/P7090775.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Desert looked mostly like this, minus the clouds.</td></tr>
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Then into Atlantic City, a wonderfully small respite on the edge of the desert. I wasn't sure I had enough food to make it the entire 140-mile stretch that we were about to do through the Wind River Range, but thankfully Gnar and Pod had a few extras they threw my way and we trudged back into the mountains, picking up E in South Pass City- she had recently done a 40 mile day to celebrate her 40th birthday- another badass woman!<br />
The Winds were gorgous- I'll definitely have to come back and hike through Knapsack Col and some of the other Alternates that J.Ley suggests. Even thinking we had enough food, we almost ran out and were rationing the last couple of days. Also, we're officially in bear country with a few grizzley prints spotted in the northern section near Tohgatee Pass. So we've been hanging our food and smellables, as well as cooking away from our tents and carrying bear spray- just in case. In this next section, we'll be going through Yellowstone NP and up along the Idaho/Montana border- I can't wait!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahGyblXkUMDm2wZmiae5AiMmog4VhjdtvxXE-Q3rpBwrfENT46HykYTd2k4Z-pXl7mUNpwqnqMW88zUt3uEUAkPPqTsv1LiBW_0muSwzHj78GaYVqXgwQMNLSmXNomR_SJcN019g03wo/s1600/P7100783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahGyblXkUMDm2wZmiae5AiMmog4VhjdtvxXE-Q3rpBwrfENT46HykYTd2k4Z-pXl7mUNpwqnqMW88zUt3uEUAkPPqTsv1LiBW_0muSwzHj78GaYVqXgwQMNLSmXNomR_SJcN019g03wo/s400/P7100783.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traveling Blueberry strikes again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNq0IpQWNwymOooJhQRBTRuKnTcZYrn2aZu7LSMUuw7w2ezv5LIT41eAJkgkBYdYkKtrWPGfbPiwHBh5KYhCvTQjquLAvySjNoCZK13gkwcysiCeijGHEBDiCIj9INrCkq-NBCh-fgXA/s1600/P7130798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNq0IpQWNwymOooJhQRBTRuKnTcZYrn2aZu7LSMUuw7w2ezv5LIT41eAJkgkBYdYkKtrWPGfbPiwHBh5KYhCvTQjquLAvySjNoCZK13gkwcysiCeijGHEBDiCIj9INrCkq-NBCh-fgXA/s400/P7130798.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Atlantic City, WY</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUFiqW3OIAW8Xd8M7rrWpHfOYKW9e9ah6ONEUv83LXPNJIJuGSy-v0fNqWDXu6yls5ufV0dXm0JlF-n7j5Amw_SNCeI668LuBHg2rZd0pqE3iLcCg4PMfr0QF6LRzJr5XN8Bp7cFVejc/s1600/P7130809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUFiqW3OIAW8Xd8M7rrWpHfOYKW9e9ah6ONEUv83LXPNJIJuGSy-v0fNqWDXu6yls5ufV0dXm0JlF-n7j5Amw_SNCeI668LuBHg2rZd0pqE3iLcCg4PMfr0QF6LRzJr5XN8Bp7cFVejc/s400/P7130809.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you trail crew! Their horses were thirsty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrpauo4lG0GeMFCgz0uGkBQxcAJ431rF-vFFAhO-qBnwArGsBndLoqIuWcQYzxGJXYVouhOiie6-waprdF2P4M0f25ZT2Fc_aMUa1OGzDDVfpcD1suXF2Y4xbASiMbIP-4ofBA82duwE/s1600/P7150830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrpauo4lG0GeMFCgz0uGkBQxcAJ431rF-vFFAhO-qBnwArGsBndLoqIuWcQYzxGJXYVouhOiie6-waprdF2P4M0f25ZT2Fc_aMUa1OGzDDVfpcD1suXF2Y4xbASiMbIP-4ofBA82duwE/s640/P7150830.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cirque of the Towers from near Lonesome Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvLROBxsxPjWcCqBtiThad-Urv3XosqGcVafSMKv0JIyLMQd8581QySnVfRxnFHaWcnX97QWEehW7F-ui_P4AP4Xx-0fmjipb5615dB-fMjkWhVWtUmxNhJd32xDI1FKdtWtMC0DgzLA/s1600/P7160841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvLROBxsxPjWcCqBtiThad-Urv3XosqGcVafSMKv0JIyLMQd8581QySnVfRxnFHaWcnX97QWEehW7F-ui_P4AP4Xx-0fmjipb5615dB-fMjkWhVWtUmxNhJd32xDI1FKdtWtMC0DgzLA/s400/P7160841.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Winds has signage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvx_fYPJVWwZwD81tef_QMbrIG0ljWcmjDKAv55ejd8XYB26jQn7yuzQiA-wsMcSdLYYzy_rYW9b-s4qtOPHM8sg00GFABm-US-kroXcV1_NtHic-hVNipmZZdtQCYj17915dQUIWt0I/s1600/P7160859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvx_fYPJVWwZwD81tef_QMbrIG0ljWcmjDKAv55ejd8XYB26jQn7yuzQiA-wsMcSdLYYzy_rYW9b-s4qtOPHM8sg00GFABm-US-kroXcV1_NtHic-hVNipmZZdtQCYj17915dQUIWt0I/s400/P7160859.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So excited, even after pass number 10 or so of the day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lJV0zDDHIIGMhuDM9nNXXaAPeUju8eBX4cYS06racVD2BuQwuXuPGKzYEDWreAGp1HObJDMjRV91W1Msayr3C1fhOHBfzLRuOAu7hmQkpB4NOauqZ8GfvIQkzMuMHoQftSYRclCmwoQ/s1600/P7170873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lJV0zDDHIIGMhuDM9nNXXaAPeUju8eBX4cYS06racVD2BuQwuXuPGKzYEDWreAGp1HObJDMjRV91W1Msayr3C1fhOHBfzLRuOAu7hmQkpB4NOauqZ8GfvIQkzMuMHoQftSYRclCmwoQ/s400/P7170873.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green Lakes are really green from Glacial runoff</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXU1lMmE6JjLlt3qhHiIST1IiThJtIHAaotDc0sZDaq42tTMD8fga-LME04GV5ZWWj4SOKk63fHc3fusd8eNGcNax2L-8kbqXPJwdHNA4fX-pg7cmLNppuGHzu1kHJXPWBB11QD6hG_0/s1600/P7180890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXU1lMmE6JjLlt3qhHiIST1IiThJtIHAaotDc0sZDaq42tTMD8fga-LME04GV5ZWWj4SOKk63fHc3fusd8eNGcNax2L-8kbqXPJwdHNA4fX-pg7cmLNppuGHzu1kHJXPWBB11QD6hG_0/s400/P7180890.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This aggressive grouse was following me and trying to peck me.</td></tr>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-37924879161968182092013-06-30T14:48:00.003-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.459-08:00Mile 1260ish- Rabbit Ears Pass/Steamboat Springs, CO<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithGFdYojQIkdMYnbwys3A7nvy6rC5DCvuexlvNkijnlyhJRIoOmx6wKEqiWT-WVMk6nGP2egtQYf8QMtL5SgvSvKhjdx1Btlsg7NgmkOGVmMxmCssB6Oo_fG5pYj0K_b_4Np63PelRas/s1600/P6180586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithGFdYojQIkdMYnbwys3A7nvy6rC5DCvuexlvNkijnlyhJRIoOmx6wKEqiWT-WVMk6nGP2egtQYf8QMtL5SgvSvKhjdx1Btlsg7NgmkOGVmMxmCssB6Oo_fG5pYj0K_b_4Np63PelRas/s200/P6180586.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old shoes with 600 miles on them vs. new shoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8FhyphenhypheniAXur7lZ5rHHeOPVnaiUO6RKqeEC23kZVQC2tXX4lLz5qP58C3lh55coGhc_nRK9cPq-vtGRfCeT97rVyj_M-n3fzEJo2hqog0fdM4xduO8a0u0AwAaAWTLImTPFGqvexVVSfos/s1600/P6200606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8FhyphenhypheniAXur7lZ5rHHeOPVnaiUO6RKqeEC23kZVQC2tXX4lLz5qP58C3lh55coGhc_nRK9cPq-vtGRfCeT97rVyj_M-n3fzEJo2hqog0fdM4xduO8a0u0AwAaAWTLImTPFGqvexVVSfos/s320/P6200606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray's Peak- highest point on the CDT!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-ysPNgp_aaGGWnmsDKkVjV9rUyfEoGd11YiWfsspE8_YBZvXhT0zF2LjHpwDP_bMtpK_a2ZG2w_G_4zFyGThMJAfA3jZ-ceOx_eybjn3f-UbkSIEvvZTO2RTiDNlMA-WJkg_U_1m1jM/s1600/P6210616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-ysPNgp_aaGGWnmsDKkVjV9rUyfEoGd11YiWfsspE8_YBZvXhT0zF2LjHpwDP_bMtpK_a2ZG2w_G_4zFyGThMJAfA3jZ-ceOx_eybjn3f-UbkSIEvvZTO2RTiDNlMA-WJkg_U_1m1jM/s320/P6210616.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail along the ridge</td></tr>
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Well, it's been a lovely week in Colorado, now that there's less snow to plow/swim/slosh through. Unfortunately, that window of time before the bugs come out began closing as we left Frisco- good thing I picked up my bug net and Deet! Hiking along, we've been able to do larger mileage mostly, though the elevation has begun changing from going up and staying up to up and down and up again. We hit our lowest elevation-wise points on the trail in Colorado going into Grand Lake. At a measly 8,000 something feet in elevation, I felt like I was drinking the air it was so thick! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMporoATV6CsnPeHJVciVf16WnoTsqr3B7RYMbtOaQ8z1_ZQVNDRijN1kvwiQftFWo795c4UKAmG7KMVu2uk_6bozjuChuqghhsxk8fgPs-TOwOVGk_Zw6EZNfGjkzGiVLAfmF8htsA5U/s1600/P6210630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMporoATV6CsnPeHJVciVf16WnoTsqr3B7RYMbtOaQ8z1_ZQVNDRijN1kvwiQftFWo795c4UKAmG7KMVu2uk_6bozjuChuqghhsxk8fgPs-TOwOVGk_Zw6EZNfGjkzGiVLAfmF8htsA5U/s320/P6210630.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone making dinner on the fire</td></tr>
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We will soon be moving onto a new state- Wyoming- and leaving the high elevation for a while as well, dropping down into the desert before heading back up into the Wind River Range. My brain has begun to feel fried coming into towns sometimes, and that's how I know I've been in the woods for not long enough!<br />
Goodbye CoolRadBro, Hello WingNoming!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OcvWhj2lYWZjAVQgJo85GVyO8FSUB8zexYV3RQwHAvSzuRTY38x4dh2IK4L1q7u2BmzJhpYr5pl7tGbYrGY9hlfw9QH1yE2F_Sz0napBlqx27_D1wN_0_fnrGryTqe4AMFUr5Lrq9PM/s1600/P6230660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OcvWhj2lYWZjAVQgJo85GVyO8FSUB8zexYV3RQwHAvSzuRTY38x4dh2IK4L1q7u2BmzJhpYr5pl7tGbYrGY9hlfw9QH1yE2F_Sz0napBlqx27_D1wN_0_fnrGryTqe4AMFUr5Lrq9PM/s200/P6230660.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes the trail looks like this...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD9cp2NYVWp1eilY_0-9eofI-lYnMi4eKii1ZrvkP-veTR1NAiGcYuRoXAQapdDaQ5XnpCx-nLj1bilXyEz4ZmB8q2sxn5zK-IlfEvpek894GjyrPVqOPL3xPbC7R2repxJLP00e0Sew/s1600/P6220649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD9cp2NYVWp1eilY_0-9eofI-lYnMi4eKii1ZrvkP-veTR1NAiGcYuRoXAQapdDaQ5XnpCx-nLj1bilXyEz4ZmB8q2sxn5zK-IlfEvpek894GjyrPVqOPL3xPbC7R2repxJLP00e0Sew/s640/P6220649.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm clouds rolling in at Devil's Thumb Pass</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz9hxoQ3U5HrGD_SEfkLVtrCH1SIVfawYyGglNiNBZN-QnDh2ybxKS0veTLhY7aY2LSmTAWRGKe9RGgu_zD4asouMKLZ1CDrbM-b2jDqUXSO6lYfjzUxFqYZ0z0VGTgus_ehPos9e6zY/s1600/P6280686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz9hxoQ3U5HrGD_SEfkLVtrCH1SIVfawYyGglNiNBZN-QnDh2ybxKS0veTLhY7aY2LSmTAWRGKe9RGgu_zD4asouMKLZ1CDrbM-b2jDqUXSO6lYfjzUxFqYZ0z0VGTgus_ehPos9e6zY/s320/P6280686.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pos, Gnar, and I before heading into Steamboat.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwGtcqeuGaUW68SVLUxow2Cr5G5tQDb4f8jrkGE8xuhPIlk2h7J5AnIEk8BylCZx6slLIcQ488m_9VVkS_M52MiW3lFhW8fG-FTts9t12nfp0jbkEbsFMLRt3NRwya11J80iK6P6n88g/s1600/P6290691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwGtcqeuGaUW68SVLUxow2Cr5G5tQDb4f8jrkGE8xuhPIlk2h7J5AnIEk8BylCZx6slLIcQ488m_9VVkS_M52MiW3lFhW8fG-FTts9t12nfp0jbkEbsFMLRt3NRwya11J80iK6P6n88g/s320/P6290691.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob, Speedbump, and Kim floating down the Yampa River in Steamboat</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-33973454616431528332013-06-17T13:21:00.000-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.437-08:00Mile 1,020ish- Frisco, CO<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazx0BFQtaQv1DvJCwUC1cFa9RdYPJpbOiE_XfSUWC75ZcJOktYb3BGxiHwidmu6Pci0cAKcpjxr13c-PWcxMz6PsmlJ0PRk5oQ2i2LFFxli__6f66-NEvKYmlMlDVKEXMZ3tNVjOMnCg/s1600/P6010454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazx0BFQtaQv1DvJCwUC1cFa9RdYPJpbOiE_XfSUWC75ZcJOktYb3BGxiHwidmu6Pci0cAKcpjxr13c-PWcxMz6PsmlJ0PRk5oQ2i2LFFxli__6f66-NEvKYmlMlDVKEXMZ3tNVjOMnCg/s320/P6010454.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gnar and Max Chill having a Meat Stick Joust</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrleNEpR2baq-WK1j2b3S1tKUIHgJXfK9Ll6omHq3ktZeUcNbRnoT6HJf_w_HivOdJK76S1S4hd6tkW17BK26tzvevjRDkYcoTUR16YZGMiSP3IobCtR4d21tOaQH-R1rEb32J7K_ikP4/s1600/P6030460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrleNEpR2baq-WK1j2b3S1tKUIHgJXfK9Ll6omHq3ktZeUcNbRnoT6HJf_w_HivOdJK76S1S4hd6tkW17BK26tzvevjRDkYcoTUR16YZGMiSP3IobCtR4d21tOaQH-R1rEb32J7K_ikP4/s200/P6030460.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signage!</td></tr>
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Wow, it has been a whirlwind these past couple days! I've been visiting with friends and family, as well as saying goodbye- some forever and some just for now. It seems as though my thoughts are going at a mile a minute at the moment, so my apologies if this post gets a bit confusing. I'll try to go in order.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpbkM-L5HKi3fx9EmrGGyK31LYhk6QEnlq9yIL0zPcQEMTLF-REnYMLjLtcXqSO8UsWsM0JZcElPopgioUXHF09XK_qQSBzpknTuwImY1NSVSl8FuzDknlTWUIhGgUPEduWCZmAvMbXQ/s1600/P6050475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpbkM-L5HKi3fx9EmrGGyK31LYhk6QEnlq9yIL0zPcQEMTLF-REnYMLjLtcXqSO8UsWsM0JZcElPopgioUXHF09XK_qQSBzpknTuwImY1NSVSl8FuzDknlTWUIhGgUPEduWCZmAvMbXQ/s320/P6050475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pod calls these "snow hurdles". They suck.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZHJAF9vqvIRA0j-imrit9nKTJx1fQvm-CsrNJBqAmR-2qv7mK2PxtdjAUU_ACtk_8-Nt3z0w5dNi-iMzWDIImh4YHZhHfseRuYn2DdZ-8a9qVQauQJnxyuL3c9LGF38qvYSgb1wWn6w/s1600/P6060482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZHJAF9vqvIRA0j-imrit9nKTJx1fQvm-CsrNJBqAmR-2qv7mK2PxtdjAUU_ACtk_8-Nt3z0w5dNi-iMzWDIImh4YHZhHfseRuYn2DdZ-8a9qVQauQJnxyuL3c9LGF38qvYSgb1wWn6w/s320/P6060482.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Chill out front walking the ridge into Monarch Pass.</td></tr>
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<br />So we left Lake City, and I was hiking with Gnar, Pod, and Max Chill. The snow was beginning to melt faster, so as we were going through it, our feet were cold because of the post-holing/slushy snow and the rest of our exposed skin was getting sunburnt. It was neat to have been through this area before, so I saw how different it looked with snow vs. with all the rain we got in the Colorado Trail last year. So I haven't taken nearly as many photos, but it's been enjoyable nontheless.<br />
<br />
<br />
We did have some scary moments, though not nearly as many as the last section. Most of them involved being in a big field at 11,000ft when a thunder storm would decide to roll in- never fun.<br />
We made it to Salida in time to have a night in the hostel right before a group of roller derby girls. Thankfully, there is a trail angel there who hosts up to 3 hikers in her apartment. AND she drove us back to the trail- Thanks Liv!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd4MaCKjv92PzCMakTwPi2jPNPcKstgALu93w5hz6bGgnr4jHSc-DapjiP2MO8w4odiU8YoTz0Rkj09MkfrzUTwAJAaiVsnrxPJQo8VUbsKG4k1bOsvreRnmaZHtwEIjap58nlY1-gyw/s1600/P6080494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd4MaCKjv92PzCMakTwPi2jPNPcKstgALu93w5hz6bGgnr4jHSc-DapjiP2MO8w4odiU8YoTz0Rkj09MkfrzUTwAJAaiVsnrxPJQo8VUbsKG4k1bOsvreRnmaZHtwEIjap58nlY1-gyw/s320/P6080494.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't go this way! ...unless you're on the CDT...</td></tr>
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Since Salida, we've been moving at quite a faster pace than before-
instead of only covering 15 miles because of the snow, we're now up to
20-23 miles per day. This has been tiring some days, going up and down
and up passes. It's also felt a bit more rewarding. We're no longer
not wanting to look at our maps to see how many miles we did, (because
we'd be disappointed at so few) we're looking and being pleasantly
surprised at the mileage. I've got to honest though, I can't wait to
get to Wyoming and burn up some big mile days in the desert! <br />
<br />
When we got to Frisco, Gnar, Pod and I found out our friend Max Chill was planning
on getting off trail. It was sad to see him go, and I also know he
needs to do what's best for him. We also found out via another hiker
that the infamous gentleman who drove us to the Crazy Cooke Monument at
the Mexico/United States border has passed away. Sam Hughes- you were a
lovely/humorous man and will be gratefully remembered by many. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAdyDyPCzDuH_cYRt2WhZ9lEyI9cOe-RDypHYb4WmcLvhynitUozs9h3JnSGJhyphenhyphen0FKkLnEi0LK_hP9ORGAzxPEmx4r17SOIdwHIt_AF_ACRUuvf9-Jzn48x1Qw750ieUd8fkHOzoBnzE/s1600/P6080502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAdyDyPCzDuH_cYRt2WhZ9lEyI9cOe-RDypHYb4WmcLvhynitUozs9h3JnSGJhyphenhyphen0FKkLnEi0LK_hP9ORGAzxPEmx4r17SOIdwHIt_AF_ACRUuvf9-Jzn48x1Qw750ieUd8fkHOzoBnzE/s400/P6080502.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pod and Gnar break time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkg3mwTCO2OVKiAjzJOVlrWi0JF59JBKzhaTcyo5fIqUTGs_f0WCtIfY9kq7pPYJ2XQN5kwmjj-3N3-KlHPNfCh48JBTlUPm3AZooT0rwfpTybIt_VPopfPcj3_BWB9obfzz4PS8weWM/s1600/P6100529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkg3mwTCO2OVKiAjzJOVlrWi0JF59JBKzhaTcyo5fIqUTGs_f0WCtIfY9kq7pPYJ2XQN5kwmjj-3N3-KlHPNfCh48JBTlUPm3AZooT0rwfpTybIt_VPopfPcj3_BWB9obfzz4PS8weWM/s400/P6100529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down toward Lake Ann from next to the cornice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINGdP5v7S12zJmKrLJPgWAi3wPgrCPSgKI7ygvaFWmEvG3dZF8WjYP4gFYMPF1ubudBDOZF3L7yecLXH231eeN_8sH-3nSuqjfZOQuSaoaK-oFwG2htPBxLE68VF8M73SdluuxNPcLoE/s1600/P6100539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINGdP5v7S12zJmKrLJPgWAi3wPgrCPSgKI7ygvaFWmEvG3dZF8WjYP4gFYMPF1ubudBDOZF3L7yecLXH231eeN_8sH-3nSuqjfZOQuSaoaK-oFwG2htPBxLE68VF8M73SdluuxNPcLoE/s400/P6100539.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Colorado storm rolling in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRNVRSWeel1htPmVPUfYsHf2_zyBY8h7fwyEG1KeGWQE_n5CT4m7eSXz_cgxdji4UCRP2UuHK_QIOWPPQR0LpMWmYA6Vj8rRXH2qHFu4yx0iiWWWQPJEqeoKUf4GlUXQDgMbGml_3un4/s1600/P6100540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRNVRSWeel1htPmVPUfYsHf2_zyBY8h7fwyEG1KeGWQE_n5CT4m7eSXz_cgxdji4UCRP2UuHK_QIOWPPQR0LpMWmYA6Vj8rRXH2qHFu4yx0iiWWWQPJEqeoKUf4GlUXQDgMbGml_3un4/s400/P6100540.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning about the ghost town we're walking through.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDfJV2M-YXPsquSImx3_ed4h44429YKUKpXhfoV2pytqmeu3NzL9BQHLA29C87V_1butYUFqh1Tb_IScB61GEJawb2IQSPrCGhRT-JJa2VXzu_zZTQ_GTEpRId4E4TJiJuVjkd__XMRQ/s1600/P6120554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDfJV2M-YXPsquSImx3_ed4h44429YKUKpXhfoV2pytqmeu3NzL9BQHLA29C87V_1butYUFqh1Tb_IScB61GEJawb2IQSPrCGhRT-JJa2VXzu_zZTQ_GTEpRId4E4TJiJuVjkd__XMRQ/s400/P6120554.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pod sneak-attacking a dog atop Mt. Elbert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLp_QKfif8J5zNttLggX2XjMbtnzNG625u_YvZUEj5LqW8gllVUPeKBUSQTezkr6aSUUhlbW7AF4YZFnUbtzzGQZJRkbB5fHjfbJNlILxt2OGeM-hYTX3tjoa7q809u3q2N67jsS3zbs/s1600/P6120565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLp_QKfif8J5zNttLggX2XjMbtnzNG625u_YvZUEj5LqW8gllVUPeKBUSQTezkr6aSUUhlbW7AF4YZFnUbtzzGQZJRkbB5fHjfbJNlILxt2OGeM-hYTX3tjoa7q809u3q2N67jsS3zbs/s400/P6120565.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This helicopter flew about 50 ft over us atop Mt. Elbert- they waved.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSUusWX-5JgqDqVBPjkC6eRauHJdbkXNjvoPr3vJIXsIgkNmv1oBWTgbO4VGQDixEPtIFdv9TL5lNM9-WaRvMBtpO2gnx4ENklcj08jaPjXOpB3OvZ_ndCJPPnoyM6dpNNewi6siQnn8/s1600/P6130572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSUusWX-5JgqDqVBPjkC6eRauHJdbkXNjvoPr3vJIXsIgkNmv1oBWTgbO4VGQDixEPtIFdv9TL5lNM9-WaRvMBtpO2gnx4ENklcj08jaPjXOpB3OvZ_ndCJPPnoyM6dpNNewi6siQnn8/s400/P6130572.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out! Near Camp Hale- an old army barracks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwVkwJlH-GZCADfoacAUaI4KAOZyZAZUQ8kErzGmNwKwKy8-C0Zr6gtgHsOfhCpdx5lrBQMtN0z4cPMpuwyQ-Fz42d7BmwUeVPeBwm5N1iXOcg6gZcoSLwZV-z371DqSmI9kI3_wEMOA/s1600/P6140580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwVkwJlH-GZCADfoacAUaI4KAOZyZAZUQ8kErzGmNwKwKy8-C0Zr6gtgHsOfhCpdx5lrBQMtN0z4cPMpuwyQ-Fz42d7BmwUeVPeBwm5N1iXOcg6gZcoSLwZV-z371DqSmI9kI3_wEMOA/s400/P6140580.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what happens to your shirt if you wear it for 1,000 miles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgP2EqAAeDYxwkkQM53nn3JB_84lRVP3pzMAPRw5KxtbcCT1nguTfIe5ddjvN4E0iLE23oY0jyAgbil-j76isDvWduGH_rUd3q2DEjP6x3OCIwFSxgzPK8GMFNNLbq6-GzF0ITedVtFs/s1600/P6150583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgP2EqAAeDYxwkkQM53nn3JB_84lRVP3pzMAPRw5KxtbcCT1nguTfIe5ddjvN4E0iLE23oY0jyAgbil-j76isDvWduGH_rUd3q2DEjP6x3OCIwFSxgzPK8GMFNNLbq6-GzF0ITedVtFs/s400/P6150583.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last hurdle before Frisco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wP_aGi85K29jnkzzbZo5UUvYNVWMasiYtU2Mz6ZZ7LGnZiRBxcAoir_fIztjItgiJcN1w97v4WZ_ZCWUukScerNBdbkrAfOSszpkjlcPcOZgX_73-u6Ej4jhPEzztQ5dBI70Gi1l0zQ/s1600/P6150585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wP_aGi85K29jnkzzbZo5UUvYNVWMasiYtU2Mz6ZZ7LGnZiRBxcAoir_fIztjItgiJcN1w97v4WZ_ZCWUukScerNBdbkrAfOSszpkjlcPcOZgX_73-u6Ej4jhPEzztQ5dBI70Gi1l0zQ/s400/P6150585.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frisco! And Friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-5375251582361511042013-05-31T14:17:00.000-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.504-08:00Mile 815ish- Spring Creek Pass/Lake City, CO<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XnNL_WcpF0ymeK8QFsJCBxSWCeXMu6biDH7KF7rvWxjPlCAb2PpZrE6_k9Tw5cv3dqBYfDlW9uiBztbD3N_W65Y7HSA9WyRYtrzqN9n6WTtsQAfvLknkTEr1IPt9fi9PC4rIL7TKmLc/s1600/P5230388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XnNL_WcpF0ymeK8QFsJCBxSWCeXMu6biDH7KF7rvWxjPlCAb2PpZrE6_k9Tw5cv3dqBYfDlW9uiBztbD3N_W65Y7HSA9WyRYtrzqN9n6WTtsQAfvLknkTEr1IPt9fi9PC4rIL7TKmLc/s320/P5230388.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Softwalker looking over the next section of maps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, friends, I've made it through another hundred miles. These past miles were hard fought for, and while not completely worn out, I am definitely glad to be in a place that it's not snowing or windy right now.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjyFMJp2huH168TVrPVOLrtaIplVsht_K6JM3Bqmsf6nWSFvqyKwP2XgWF2OI8qzWN31MoBXM5aTSpFRZjQigjzGR8kBRnrYt7IIr2jr4anR_FAEfwHc0eKNUgwPyyGo6cgHvWd1JMxU/s1600/P5250401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjyFMJp2huH168TVrPVOLrtaIplVsht_K6JM3Bqmsf6nWSFvqyKwP2XgWF2OI8qzWN31MoBXM5aTSpFRZjQigjzGR8kBRnrYt7IIr2jr4anR_FAEfwHc0eKNUgwPyyGo6cgHvWd1JMxU/s320/P5250401.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The last stretch of trail we went through has been the longest food carry between resupplies I've done yet on this trip- I carried 7 days worth of food out of Pagosa Springs- that's a lot of snacks! Thankfully I've been traveling with a good group of people. We've been having fires nearly every night to dry out our shoes so they won't be frozen in the morning. We've also been each other's support systems/navigators/trail breakers all in one! I would not have been nearly as motivated to get up and moving if I didn't have Speed Bump moving around in a tent near me on many a frosty morning this past week. And with Bumpy or Max Chill or Waldo leading the way, it made trail finding a bit easier though the post-holing got worse later in the day with old foot prints. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqzyelnpUg25ypOCZ1mFujqciELBUP4_OdJIWCynNljdDmeIQ1a0vZR-XZ6HRY_R5PIXl2U7wgewry18_jSYk8Xre2hFcQsPynQ6riWesgimKIyFq-eUX84D1RtkNvJy9YVex_Fh9Rmw/s1600/P5250403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqzyelnpUg25ypOCZ1mFujqciELBUP4_OdJIWCynNljdDmeIQ1a0vZR-XZ6HRY_R5PIXl2U7wgewry18_jSYk8Xre2hFcQsPynQ6riWesgimKIyFq-eUX84D1RtkNvJy9YVex_Fh9Rmw/s400/P5250403.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pod and Gnar post-holing their way towards me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG37T_DF5i5emeUl2IXL6BUN5IYOxgYwhd-jI5gBS4U5kZdkUsD9m2jFxMJOJqLzpC3snaXFmjsQiQTL7GQ2ZRF-Mxp1oLYubzimIFjK1NSV1xhO7WlkbwGe_7ckB_Sf1mSPt2_5mU-wY/s1600/P5250405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG37T_DF5i5emeUl2IXL6BUN5IYOxgYwhd-jI5gBS4U5kZdkUsD9m2jFxMJOJqLzpC3snaXFmjsQiQTL7GQ2ZRF-Mxp1oLYubzimIFjK1NSV1xhO7WlkbwGe_7ckB_Sf1mSPt2_5mU-wY/s400/P5250405.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where do we go? Gnar, Pod, and Max Chill.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mFvVwXa7XOqKhztNWXP5xXVC-p1Up3117NeJGMEITiuxy1zwb3dwR58_8pWc444_kt8RNnqjGkJ4vx8NHmbHtGA67uhl2MeeN47XDueeZ6P2FWWy1Wf26gga-styNkkrldgDyaiQYxA/s1600/P5260407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mFvVwXa7XOqKhztNWXP5xXVC-p1Up3117NeJGMEITiuxy1zwb3dwR58_8pWc444_kt8RNnqjGkJ4vx8NHmbHtGA67uhl2MeeN47XDueeZ6P2FWWy1Wf26gga-styNkkrldgDyaiQYxA/s400/P5260407.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridge walk! Yea, along that cornice.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyita6gusKZheaOT0qq8t2y9PYGdz8OqnQSopnoejUJ_k7ZibwHFP5nW3WYTXUVw10kwNHMl0RmeywDNJ_dGuCz3_sGHieRF5sWJfE2fzd6Cp1N4n29KpN5iBdAdQd5ZUOdLfvK0prk5I/s1600/P5270416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyita6gusKZheaOT0qq8t2y9PYGdz8OqnQSopnoejUJ_k7ZibwHFP5nW3WYTXUVw10kwNHMl0RmeywDNJ_dGuCz3_sGHieRF5sWJfE2fzd6Cp1N4n29KpN5iBdAdQd5ZUOdLfvK0prk5I/s400/P5270416.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was an avalanche here sometime ago.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UoFe57b7GWMVmyiLOGN-KQXKWv66yq2qXNlhsFqoe08QOBezBkVv1pZ7LzuSJCndz5WoC_XF9WQ1a_6tvp3qzyZ_b3PJcKL3ovbG0gPSJzbf3pi7H1NttwKsjk116fx1AwIs6LrPOmo/s1600/P5280425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UoFe57b7GWMVmyiLOGN-KQXKWv66yq2qXNlhsFqoe08QOBezBkVv1pZ7LzuSJCndz5WoC_XF9WQ1a_6tvp3qzyZ_b3PJcKL3ovbG0gPSJzbf3pi7H1NttwKsjk116fx1AwIs6LrPOmo/s400/P5280425.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The Window' Apparently, you can cross country<br />
to go through it if you want...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnOMfE3KnxDWL0BwkJmihGyEg3YSixmjDwOS5MNI1owi9zWk9_jfgl-LlnWYeBeAuqfhBOFytF691SJCi4QCvgl7dtTAmTgSyXgqTxPGx9zrrqLL5swjky8zXphCOThlpHxjgsSftutg/s1600/P5290437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnOMfE3KnxDWL0BwkJmihGyEg3YSixmjDwOS5MNI1owi9zWk9_jfgl-LlnWYeBeAuqfhBOFytF691SJCi4QCvgl7dtTAmTgSyXgqTxPGx9zrrqLL5swjky8zXphCOThlpHxjgsSftutg/s400/P5290437.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CDT meets the CT near Silverton. <br />
It looks alot different than the last time I was here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpqz4dBNu8UdNGe1LGzBKQe43XqA13i8UmA-R86NPTPrjIiL466mUQlAmKU0vzIaHNfomDeovyfSaTFZ2eWzOfCUrT6Wdt8fDgf7plXDQbBoxw49VN33xIsq-u6pFUwomSk4wkxPAKrM/s1600/P5290445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpqz4dBNu8UdNGe1LGzBKQe43XqA13i8UmA-R86NPTPrjIiL466mUQlAmKU0vzIaHNfomDeovyfSaTFZ2eWzOfCUrT6Wdt8fDgf7plXDQbBoxw49VN33xIsq-u6pFUwomSk4wkxPAKrM/s400/P5290445.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SpeedBump crossing another snowy patch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTZcOk-oaTmHKNliv-eeJsMTZaTtQhrND4jDx7gvVC7ASNUkMvFD3ec0Xue90WX8baOCrQUSmPp_QxuKKuwo7GvelnHQQl2M1xtzswKv39vzTAtFybPOpv9gdxqOw31HQiP1eQ2nWtGI/s1600/P5300449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTZcOk-oaTmHKNliv-eeJsMTZaTtQhrND4jDx7gvVC7ASNUkMvFD3ec0Xue90WX8baOCrQUSmPp_QxuKKuwo7GvelnHQQl2M1xtzswKv39vzTAtFybPOpv9gdxqOw31HQiP1eQ2nWtGI/s400/P5300449.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woke up to this about 17 miles outside of the pass into Lake City.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-45094899357668140962013-05-23T11:28:00.000-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.470-08:00Mile 710ish- Pagosa Springs, COLORADO<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8Aw74MauL_HYX_4_8oRpBKOBQEilKXsI7rkAQ1r2MAuwzl3cSwN62ov7NNgoEVKSTDxbhr84nAWrMv6YVK7mp8iTd6H0SSUeQydwXrfj6Fe41tHktsNesXvffr1IwNH6Blnwi_QVVAI/s1600/P5140328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8Aw74MauL_HYX_4_8oRpBKOBQEilKXsI7rkAQ1r2MAuwzl3cSwN62ov7NNgoEVKSTDxbhr84nAWrMv6YVK7mp8iTd6H0SSUeQydwXrfj6Fe41tHktsNesXvffr1IwNH6Blnwi_QVVAI/s320/P5140328.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can only assume this means the CDT is <br />
inherently hazardous to public use.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAzLNa_biwirwugpnVIqnNugoQnpUuj_cTxWpoksmDQUt1hHPyHof4Y3sCZLlisizIUlTuwOWtWTj79RHkn2YoI5R_Fu_4lfRdAKD8jrpE7d8MNvqy0VzB8kKOVbt3zAHTxedb_GBjtk/s1600/P5140329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAzLNa_biwirwugpnVIqnNugoQnpUuj_cTxWpoksmDQUt1hHPyHof4Y3sCZLlisizIUlTuwOWtWTj79RHkn2YoI5R_Fu_4lfRdAKD8jrpE7d8MNvqy0VzB8kKOVbt3zAHTxedb_GBjtk/s320/P5140329.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estero making it across our "log bridge"</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2icNgliB3Uw66fLfyTWYhbyUJ_G475rccgDhdYkMHX5PYxXcEVG3Zof8dWtrz7ThrX7nLrZp-OyWEa-ZkI4klMZs2VpnM8_LjVzqAFRnRGMYWNAqhotH3-_UWQCBCsfvFq17w4maPCms/s1600/P5150333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2icNgliB3Uw66fLfyTWYhbyUJ_G475rccgDhdYkMHX5PYxXcEVG3Zof8dWtrz7ThrX7nLrZp-OyWEa-ZkI4klMZs2VpnM8_LjVzqAFRnRGMYWNAqhotH3-_UWQCBCsfvFq17w4maPCms/s320/P5150333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Softwalker and I hung out in this conveniently <br />
placed shelter during a rain/hail/thunder storm.</td></tr>
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Woo-e, it's been a crazy week. As you can see from this post's title, I have officially made it to Colorado, a new state along the divide. That also means I've left the desert behind for higher ground-literally. The group I've been hiking with and I left Ghost Ranch to begin our semi-immediate ascent into the higher mountain range known as the San Juan mountains. As we got higher, the weather became cooler, the water became more plentiful, oh, and we began the snowy/icy traverses with the wind battering us on a daily basis. The snow also makes the trail a bit harder to find, thank goodness for maps! The past few days, since Cumbres Pass, we've been walking mostly above 11,000ft, so it's been stunning and tough on the body. As of right now, I could go on and on, but I believe photos would do this beautiful scenery more justice than my attempts at describing them so here they are:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rHnBzP-WUQnTiPT6YDJ0OhQ8c_NKVvKLE8CivSQhcETsdXY1c7ARye6HJWCQObV6WKi5S2DV1GFFBSQpJqRnSX6XT90jYHjfCho_L-nKDKKUEHk15rebdUqqdnHUIEXdNvBeqQgjla4/s1600/P5150336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rHnBzP-WUQnTiPT6YDJ0OhQ8c_NKVvKLE8CivSQhcETsdXY1c7ARye6HJWCQObV6WKi5S2DV1GFFBSQpJqRnSX6XT90jYHjfCho_L-nKDKKUEHk15rebdUqqdnHUIEXdNvBeqQgjla4/s400/P5150336.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More water = more mud.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxX4wOiC-4BBuf7FsELUHcuatp1IenwX7p9xihbqcv9Xj8NqYZXw38XMju1DWlQy_ck5ctCsGuc-T6LFjCTV5lfTWWb1w4DEu0susDodON3qQzOBsEl06OFj4PSgqnh9jFsRtTQ3AVmE/s1600/P5150342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxX4wOiC-4BBuf7FsELUHcuatp1IenwX7p9xihbqcv9Xj8NqYZXw38XMju1DWlQy_ck5ctCsGuc-T6LFjCTV5lfTWWb1w4DEu0susDodON3qQzOBsEl06OFj4PSgqnh9jFsRtTQ3AVmE/s400/P5150342.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home for the night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47NQ7Rm6pcfbBq9sNxCJDZZ0mnt87Efs1n062JwUUrLrsWZ82kk-6OMmnR4bgeg9sIr2vBVDAqjy327Xb0xEKRgGGPAFWxd67bJWcYdJZXhhymjZLkHP42TJzfairikqLykDNuAcznds/s1600/P5170358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47NQ7Rm6pcfbBq9sNxCJDZZ0mnt87Efs1n062JwUUrLrsWZ82kk-6OMmnR4bgeg9sIr2vBVDAqjy327Xb0xEKRgGGPAFWxd67bJWcYdJZXhhymjZLkHP42TJzfairikqLykDNuAcznds/s400/P5170358.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Estero, and Softwalker at a trail marker.<br />
The snow begins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t05nuzTVlOpauyt4y_48RZlIaFrczCspZTFdsbKir0TKNeRNqoeaN6xYi1Is3nwoNI6Gb1bUps0UNJpEVkHNUMIxKv9A4zhRbTxYNYTcBMIKWs9p-4qzO_36EiFWQAnFAx7DGMUhrf8/s1600/P5170359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t05nuzTVlOpauyt4y_48RZlIaFrczCspZTFdsbKir0TKNeRNqoeaN6xYi1Is3nwoNI6Gb1bUps0UNJpEVkHNUMIxKv9A4zhRbTxYNYTcBMIKWs9p-4qzO_36EiFWQAnFAx7DGMUhrf8/s400/P5170359.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We thought we were on trail getting into Colorado.<br />
Apparently, we were wrong.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQFSmmJW0d2D86ORnLeie61F7EIksmc67GFzWmpyP9WXCZdnxtOk6kfL44yZKz7Jl2WfA-Eiv4Ep5fjq93TeIzKWpw8j4nTygb2kw3NqI73fAKrcavD43vtXJBUAlLgNcfVoPzfuRRyk/s1600/P5170364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQFSmmJW0d2D86ORnLeie61F7EIksmc67GFzWmpyP9WXCZdnxtOk6kfL44yZKz7Jl2WfA-Eiv4Ep5fjq93TeIzKWpw8j4nTygb2kw3NqI73fAKrcavD43vtXJBUAlLgNcfVoPzfuRRyk/s400/P5170364.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Softwalker near Cumbres Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87gxJCUbWbB1GakcdsRhHnIV1BXQL9a_56nr9nLsHXjeuMuyCXLJufgCvoBYp_zApLph7KZlKgtfDxLdjf6Hz_2GJDFEaqd252iUEzGu-GNYfowcIBnV8f0p6IfFY0gU7y4ogxdA6IR8/s1600/P5190371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87gxJCUbWbB1GakcdsRhHnIV1BXQL9a_56nr9nLsHXjeuMuyCXLJufgCvoBYp_zApLph7KZlKgtfDxLdjf6Hz_2GJDFEaqd252iUEzGu-GNYfowcIBnV8f0p6IfFY0gU7y4ogxdA6IR8/s400/P5190371.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North of Cumbres Pass, with weather coming in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FGh8IYcFbHSbxVnhGerdCrJ-myS8D3J5LtiIaNUTdCcYEpL4_7Uq741mTe9SRZEdDEmFuoZd-k9MQqVRHBw537pruwvI9iMUb87UG2nKBtF1uNn6NDDVR7IVAgpzNl1nUueUOwnGtjo/s1600/P5200379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FGh8IYcFbHSbxVnhGerdCrJ-myS8D3J5LtiIaNUTdCcYEpL4_7Uq741mTe9SRZEdDEmFuoZd-k9MQqVRHBw537pruwvI9iMUb87UG2nKBtF1uNn6NDDVR7IVAgpzNl1nUueUOwnGtjo/s400/P5200379.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it snowed on us a few times.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6IOYQlp_0kxJZuD3iJOiXGv5gQ73Aq0WNdA0zQU11PrkW669RLWD2gh4UlR4XhNLONFs3FTHBldcXOMKkA2NcBjYyId402UBv5COjn59IECCiKt01fXrOql2TjYt8vJzdkPxoRaMxFA/s1600/P5210382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6IOYQlp_0kxJZuD3iJOiXGv5gQ73Aq0WNdA0zQU11PrkW669RLWD2gh4UlR4XhNLONFs3FTHBldcXOMKkA2NcBjYyId402UBv5COjn59IECCiKt01fXrOql2TjYt8vJzdkPxoRaMxFA/s400/P5210382.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which meant fresh tracks in the morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vr3qN8PlCcke49et7z0hhNmNcPIQHBw1zd8NbrAHcHI1K68XIwh2JfqNoTbWqidYPpfkSjXreIXNYZ1dm6hUG8hO9mwVa_yynKfj6c_akHM6wsngTDmY9WxIkOxLeP6BJUyRAv7Nd94/s1600/P5210381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vr3qN8PlCcke49et7z0hhNmNcPIQHBw1zd8NbrAHcHI1K68XIwh2JfqNoTbWqidYPpfkSjXreIXNYZ1dm6hUG8hO9mwVa_yynKfj6c_akHM6wsngTDmY9WxIkOxLeP6BJUyRAv7Nd94/s400/P5210381.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self Portrait at about 11,900ft and 8:30am</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC0lBUNBW3A-eCK4ozk7Lw716MU8b_7yyx-0SQO5Zt9URXTMhPGrTuOHuFyUQZ4GMtG4j_Nm2u_gB1nyYhslGBtDbsHimVyWoc5TOWD20JyUL1lwpv9h0ly-eD6P77xzM8IALSMUIUy0/s1600/P5210383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC0lBUNBW3A-eCK4ozk7Lw716MU8b_7yyx-0SQO5Zt9URXTMhPGrTuOHuFyUQZ4GMtG4j_Nm2u_gB1nyYhslGBtDbsHimVyWoc5TOWD20JyUL1lwpv9h0ly-eD6P77xzM8IALSMUIUy0/s400/P5210383.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speed Bump crossing a slope- the new snow in the sun helped us not fall.</td></tr>
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Also, I have been collecting species information through a group called ASC (<a href="http://www.adventureandscience.org/home.html">Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation</a>) It's been really cool to try and sneak up on different species to get a photo to report back to the website I've been recording it on- inaturalist.org. I believe it's also made me more aware of my surroundings- as a thru-hiker, we sometimes get tunnel vision. On this trip alone, I've spotted herds of elk, snakes, birds aplenty, and ptarmigan, to name a few.<br /><br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-74873340649903894352013-05-12T19:31:00.001-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.528-08:00Mile 550ish- Ghost Ranch<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5VNDhmtPlDHxxNoiRjxb2knA93P1c7aRs-7XrBLpp-xhFbwXVz9gc0Z13k1yve82EfCodNStQUWeWWCNwsau8ir7VGx8Va-_C_M80rOuzFAVM4_vrAr3lSZkkEYwLDiFxwvMEgVASVk/s1600/P5040226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5VNDhmtPlDHxxNoiRjxb2knA93P1c7aRs-7XrBLpp-xhFbwXVz9gc0Z13k1yve82EfCodNStQUWeWWCNwsau8ir7VGx8Va-_C_M80rOuzFAVM4_vrAr3lSZkkEYwLDiFxwvMEgVASVk/s200/P5040226.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail angels/Estero's friends Sarah and Calculator</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTGxrxmfDh2uGlI_CynHfAC7zALypwh19Fs64mZv2My3hoWQdLU252dzFUf24uKGRz5507wmcVNQ6v-6MRg8_2-JKBhg-bNp8IPYJv2YRf7YzUuLcimAaAnpQw9NqhJhAPzsBJAiVBro/s1600/P5050237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTGxrxmfDh2uGlI_CynHfAC7zALypwh19Fs64mZv2My3hoWQdLU252dzFUf24uKGRz5507wmcVNQ6v-6MRg8_2-JKBhg-bNp8IPYJv2YRf7YzUuLcimAaAnpQw9NqhJhAPzsBJAiVBro/s320/P5050237.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top of Mt. Taylor!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN9uB2kW9Fth3drimqyYBAJu5jGq9spH5L_xCNDWVNQh4jjZmxwnU97-luz24xMdB4Of271Tvj9EfPoNKBHkQbsmGcf7vDZUVIaOYztiSmuOcggkUuwa1MY68jTQVemp_hTQFsUA0qVQ/s1600/P5060246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN9uB2kW9Fth3drimqyYBAJu5jGq9spH5L_xCNDWVNQh4jjZmxwnU97-luz24xMdB4Of271Tvj9EfPoNKBHkQbsmGcf7vDZUVIaOYztiSmuOcggkUuwa1MY68jTQVemp_hTQFsUA0qVQ/s320/P5060246.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward</td></tr>
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Well it's been a week of ups and downs here on the trail (temperature and elevation, anyway). After being dropped back off in Grants from Albequerque, we went up to the top of Mt Taylor. At over 11,000ft, it gave me an idea of what I'd be enjoying more of in the days to come- being out of breath and slow going up. Then there was the downhill- in the trees snowy, and in the sun I could basically run down the trail. <br />
The walking to Cuba, NM was lovely, with going up and across and down mesas. There was a 28-mile waterless stretch, which was a bit arduous, thankfully it was cloudy that day. We made it into Cuba from Grants (110 miles) in 4 and change days, and headed out again the same day after resupplying.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo-dWordRf_cVbK3id17kUENdr_AVzQt9ZVTQxOXpxV48Ocu3tC_vcSX7wMFpAOe2xx70Wpa5BWiP3chG-JK5Tk_JDRE48Bb5uQ1_ssM9FuPPRV_PjOrvhOKbph1WooNdnIzXnmgT9AA/s1600/P5060261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo-dWordRf_cVbK3id17kUENdr_AVzQt9ZVTQxOXpxV48Ocu3tC_vcSX7wMFpAOe2xx70Wpa5BWiP3chG-JK5Tk_JDRE48Bb5uQ1_ssM9FuPPRV_PjOrvhOKbph1WooNdnIzXnmgT9AA/s320/P5060261.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lit-up trail. All those plants are Cholla Cactus, BTW.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmmIEfzvIkhRW1qio918RxLu9r0sSfj8mb8Bws4OCaajCyqL27rimM9n1-yzS803g3Yz-lJ3JYEwK7twesUEdEnFcR-VytMYF2kh8jpGogrbN5JMDsiepf5tY7X7go7JMghGHIccd9fg/s1600/P5070282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmmIEfzvIkhRW1qio918RxLu9r0sSfj8mb8Bws4OCaajCyqL27rimM9n1-yzS803g3Yz-lJ3JYEwK7twesUEdEnFcR-VytMYF2kh8jpGogrbN5JMDsiepf5tY7X7go7JMghGHIccd9fg/s200/P5070282.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blooming Cactus</td></tr>
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After Cuba, we headed up again, only to be snowed on- what!? Yes, snowed on, while walking through marshy meadows and over patches of snow. That experience has me thoughtful for what's ahead in the San Juan mountains of southern Colorado.<br />
As we were walking into Ghost Ranch, I was thinking about how happy I currently am and how wonderful life is and how grateful I am for what my mind and body can do and go through, it's such a great place to be in. I'm so joyful I could burst!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WVCJS97YF3WIEakQ1KCx61AJQjshhwLe9xlq1vczM8Z1V6tSRtcmxDt9A9UAiaBMv7DLK9efgZZpGa5smvC5kabhwON0us6RnPjkCQkD8RsUO322wXgcTPb60nGrRGVM763CNUmaYW8/s1600/P5090293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WVCJS97YF3WIEakQ1KCx61AJQjshhwLe9xlq1vczM8Z1V6tSRtcmxDt9A9UAiaBMv7DLK9efgZZpGa5smvC5kabhwON0us6RnPjkCQkD8RsUO322wXgcTPb60nGrRGVM763CNUmaYW8/s400/P5090293.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Softwalker and Estero doing sock laundry in the first <br />
flowing stream we've encountered</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGpSV9QXyd1cDC35IOBR-Eeeq3kRDFkVbGMugC36JHz-Tg1jhB8ctWGiOg3Q_DziYw78y1ktMRRmKBOodP1O1j5l6OaClymAyUV-qStYEgelxypOtKh4tSo86WfRjPKsCGlC9XO2fcPM/s1600/P5100309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGpSV9QXyd1cDC35IOBR-Eeeq3kRDFkVbGMugC36JHz-Tg1jhB8ctWGiOg3Q_DziYw78y1ktMRRmKBOodP1O1j5l6OaClymAyUV-qStYEgelxypOtKh4tSo86WfRjPKsCGlC9XO2fcPM/s400/P5100309.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking toward Rio Chama</td></tr>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-5303429109759254942013-05-03T16:11:00.001-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.493-08:00Mile 395ish- Grants, NMQuite some time has passed since I last wrote. The reasoning for this is because there hasn't been an opportunity between Silver City and Grants to update this blog. Read: no computers for almost 250 miles-what freedom! Though since this entry will be a long one, I'll split it into different subtitles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQSuFy7XAR_ZeD_CbT4ikkJMtu7yyVzPWHVh-BZ2vpclcs4Gy7X9MwdHuRYid-CKIXNqdmylN-kNkEIznqi2Zdc_j6gBf6-ZXvNP9dSL-Mg0sX_J-JfanGdJW1QAgUNo06jmMAzyIu5U/s1600/P4170063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQSuFy7XAR_ZeD_CbT4ikkJMtu7yyVzPWHVh-BZ2vpclcs4Gy7X9MwdHuRYid-CKIXNqdmylN-kNkEIznqi2Zdc_j6gBf6-ZXvNP9dSL-Mg0sX_J-JfanGdJW1QAgUNo06jmMAzyIu5U/s320/P4170063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jammin' in Silver City</td></tr>
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<u><b>Silver City through the Gila to Snow Lake</b></u><br />
My compatriots and I stayed in Silver City with some lovely people the evening after my last blog entry and attempted to leave mid-morning. Due to the amount of people in town wanting to talk with us/our eating a delicious breakfast , we ended up leaving later in the morning and wandering back into the Gila (pronounced hee-la) National Forest. As we gained some elevation walking the road out of Silver City, we were taken back into the land of pine trees and shade. The wind has been a constant on this trip, so I'm very thankful when the trees become a barrier. Walking with others along the road has also been nice; we can attempt to entertain one another. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuXU7SQowz44miBSXqtkLPkCoDwPtf7aDRx0hyphenhyphensNQTAomBLNZp3mZTddop5dQkW0fx1vI2MnPt_9gqog-KhqkoHc-jo-uEDIhceyEMqrxenQ8fsvzTqi57d8l7BFSnY7TzJgWHBfCl1Y/s1600/P4180073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuXU7SQowz44miBSXqtkLPkCoDwPtf7aDRx0hyphenhyphensNQTAomBLNZp3mZTddop5dQkW0fx1vI2MnPt_9gqog-KhqkoHc-jo-uEDIhceyEMqrxenQ8fsvzTqi57d8l7BFSnY7TzJgWHBfCl1Y/s320/P4180073.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Softwalker and the sunset- notice his lack <br />of shoes. He didn't do it all the time, but it was <br />refreshing to see bare foot prints ahead of me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Softwalker on one of the first of the Gila crossings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMR5QBur590yIBMi192Ogw4xhfbehjooxgd3AxDEOWHA-PjrKNWXu39aqAO-phvS4uBzQkeZqVavS7sx1lZuTjsKm_lYg8AWA1LFroH0RTU_s8K8stBZd0-qUUdbUo9e8uw5RMJRL94Q/s1600/P4200085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMR5QBur590yIBMi192Ogw4xhfbehjooxgd3AxDEOWHA-PjrKNWXu39aqAO-phvS4uBzQkeZqVavS7sx1lZuTjsKm_lYg8AWA1LFroH0RTU_s8K8stBZd0-qUUdbUo9e8uw5RMJRL94Q/s320/P4200085.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen shoes!</td></tr>
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Our 2nd day from Silver City, we switch-backed down a trail to the confluence of where we began to follow the Gila River up to Doc Campbell's Post- a store that holds packages for thru-hikers. The first river crossings were novel, and then it just became wet shoes all day. Waking up to frozen shoes the next morning, the river crossings became more irritating because the cold water caused a pins-and-needles sensation from my thighs down to where I lost sensation (around ankle-height) Thanks to the scenery for making it worth getting out of my sleeping bag before 10am. Also, the lure of hot springs definitely helped! We took a day off at the hot springs campground to go see the Cliff Dwellings,and ended up getting a ride from a park ranger who worked at Mesa Verde N.P. who had come down to see how these cliff dwellings compared to the ones he worked at.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRysM1_jZabAUvNO29N5ViVMXcq5MfkQU57s6uxA9rizKLCPvrMp2PQ6E2Io-lOW6a_gFdNjEuVT88nTL9lW8YXBPRBTKrMJtSjxM_WpKpIJiSeAeCakz9J0bVwADEPn1tyPlelzR7hE/s1600/P4200089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRysM1_jZabAUvNO29N5ViVMXcq5MfkQU57s6uxA9rizKLCPvrMp2PQ6E2Io-lOW6a_gFdNjEuVT88nTL9lW8YXBPRBTKrMJtSjxM_WpKpIJiSeAeCakz9J0bVwADEPn1tyPlelzR7hE/s320/P4200089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys in Gila Hot Springs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKk_GD5b4CoNvOj7PFzdtbfifzvYbNsSGtJHqFMDcAril162OENvvrxtfBcIQnWVPSkoz1kZ2tCm_r9VH1mPrMsq40wAMlCLcK-KO42VaN4c-ExZif4hLztmSjxyHKuPI1MPgtyg4H61o/s1600/P4210097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKk_GD5b4CoNvOj7PFzdtbfifzvYbNsSGtJHqFMDcAril162OENvvrxtfBcIQnWVPSkoz1kZ2tCm_r9VH1mPrMsq40wAMlCLcK-KO42VaN4c-ExZif4hLztmSjxyHKuPI1MPgtyg4H61o/s320/P4210097.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gila Cliff Dwellings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Doc Campbell's, heading back into the canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvLu9tSyMY5v74WACsg1enHT8jeBIJSTXb6pfkNKiIp0J7HdWOLW6-o8LPc-VazBE0XlPpruqMLqhX9012d68LDFbWe0AqFid9Jq_0NJAAS-03uC0FZtPltcNv8CpPAlrShmRlw3Kr3A/s1600/P4220128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvLu9tSyMY5v74WACsg1enHT8jeBIJSTXb6pfkNKiIp0J7HdWOLW6-o8LPc-VazBE0XlPpruqMLqhX9012d68LDFbWe0AqFid9Jq_0NJAAS-03uC0FZtPltcNv8CpPAlrShmRlw3Kr3A/s320/P4220128.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estero at another river crossing</td></tr>
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Onto more river crossings! Also, a middle of the canyon hot springs! Along the Gila River, one of our maps stated, "There are 85 crossing between here and Snow Lake" So, I began counting. I reached 83 before we hit Snow Lake. There were river crossings galore, and between the crossings in the canyon, there were thigh-high reed-like plants that would hit your wet legs and give them micro abrasions. My legs burned so badly a couple of nights that I had trouble sleeping.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TExwQRJqRJ-miPvu0fKE9yVE7K4VwWCjHLGQvDuUZ5hn6xm5XD0dgDmiKCvPxyHnzPPgZ_Hj-URCh01OSlxFbuL2j6pPQzlQHjwia4c-3vmJZMVkR0HweVA3WQx7qu_IU9w7umw4ESY/s1600/P4220133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TExwQRJqRJ-miPvu0fKE9yVE7K4VwWCjHLGQvDuUZ5hn6xm5XD0dgDmiKCvPxyHnzPPgZ_Hj-URCh01OSlxFbuL2j6pPQzlQHjwia4c-3vmJZMVkR0HweVA3WQx7qu_IU9w7umw4ESY/s320/P4220133.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan hot springs! 92 degree water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_F-uEqtCu6XWwoy_D3T9o2KN9NL13ecRuk8WYKsPL7cpP2HYJAZAT2hcIZlFgH3eCb_ZWLcpBsQ4PezlQQeJXs9a9tlUMYQIvWoB0wkcAdG2EitiMwxSxQoVWLMK7ajL3VDZ7_slT4s/s1600/P4240158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_F-uEqtCu6XWwoy_D3T9o2KN9NL13ecRuk8WYKsPL7cpP2HYJAZAT2hcIZlFgH3eCb_ZWLcpBsQ4PezlQQeJXs9a9tlUMYQIvWoB0wkcAdG2EitiMwxSxQoVWLMK7ajL3VDZ7_slT4s/s200/P4240158.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail magic beers- 8:30am. Thanks, random hunters!</td></tr>
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<u><b>Snow Lake to Pie Town</b></u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Pl5U41XH-13WP5J_1bzq-kQrco-WYDhqdfHlGUwmxy__QHMB0TJumQwhMNi0XhDlPmkn40r7krNdUaJwZu4rlpZ7l7IK5e0HEet-hMUk0LHeHuuTQq-e5SFYh4H5GBS1naJXWCdrpVg/s1600/P4230155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Pl5U41XH-13WP5J_1bzq-kQrco-WYDhqdfHlGUwmxy__QHMB0TJumQwhMNi0XhDlPmkn40r7krNdUaJwZu4rlpZ7l7IK5e0HEet-hMUk0LHeHuuTQq-e5SFYh4H5GBS1naJXWCdrpVg/s320/P4230155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Lake's water level is a bit low</td></tr>
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We looked at our maps at Snow Lake, and it was the last water source for quite a distance, so we filled up. It also happened to be super muddy and gross, though we're pretty used to that at this point. Eating dinner next to the bathrooms (they were a nice windbreak) at the campground, and then heading on to the waterless stretch of dirt road walking was vastly different than what we had been walking through for the past 4 days or so. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlaa6Fss18ExDjYse4At4zY4hPKs5sB-z7qYl2BZdOD5TcWq2lG3s8sRY4lY8JeuBWomznDfzwMxdnhvnbxl8BF6lAUD482a1ReNZHVcB_E-MOGbvfpXArPDBIQ3JyOKrfzxZXD4hqd0/s1600/P4260165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlaa6Fss18ExDjYse4At4zY4hPKs5sB-z7qYl2BZdOD5TcWq2lG3s8sRY4lY8JeuBWomznDfzwMxdnhvnbxl8BF6lAUD482a1ReNZHVcB_E-MOGbvfpXArPDBIQ3JyOKrfzxZXD4hqd0/s200/P4260165.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gate on some actual trail before Pie Town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGV5xYAZYdkpl645cU9C-aVCnvEek4sFZ7UyYiCX0bKwU8MMzXWEXXiF3J9nsX4vtGn-O1lwRDKK6fW_-3N8ZaWb_Q4oMM2ZfyQy9OO5aQHhpW9CdCSzZ7KoGXDJVDflOTlv4HsQYKfw/s1600/P4260167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGV5xYAZYdkpl645cU9C-aVCnvEek4sFZ7UyYiCX0bKwU8MMzXWEXXiF3J9nsX4vtGn-O1lwRDKK6fW_-3N8ZaWb_Q4oMM2ZfyQy9OO5aQHhpW9CdCSzZ7KoGXDJVDflOTlv4HsQYKfw/s320/P4260167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found snow on Mangas Moutain!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsJ_crYV-EyTn-_4g7X8G0Sbnok8lTx72Qkyde88_U3mqr8AaD452dpaY8iMvhHYfGhnbkwe4xOVDfn5gRopUa5Ov-XfAY9vKhrsbpUqXI29_aPb4rXH3yM47vkdTOCTJ1lDaMKoSn-s/s1600/P4260169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsJ_crYV-EyTn-_4g7X8G0Sbnok8lTx72Qkyde88_U3mqr8AaD452dpaY8iMvhHYfGhnbkwe4xOVDfn5gRopUa5Ov-XfAY9vKhrsbpUqXI29_aPb4rXH3yM47vkdTOCTJ1lDaMKoSn-s/s320/P4260169.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the fire tower.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the Gila River does to your legs.</td></tr>
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After spending a chilly night atop a ridge in a pasture, we followed a forest service road for most of the day, cutting across to another forest service road right before lunch. Unfortunately at this cut-off, we chose the wrong forest service road to follow and ended up going down a different canyon, having to backtrack, and finishing the day at 27 miles, only 20 of those being on-trail. Also, that extra mileage wreaked havoc on my feet, causing 5 or 6 new blisters to rear their angry heads. This was not only caused by the mileage, but also caused by my shoes being a bit too small in the toe area- I have wide feet. <br />
Hobbling on waterless, exposed dirt roads for the next few days was troublesome with my feet acting up, though we did get to go into a working fire tower on Mangas Mountain as well as talk to a few of the many hunters we saw out looking for turkeys. Coming into Pie Town was a great day, I felt as though we were immediately blended into the community. A wonderful woman name Nita has opened up the house she raised her family in(nicknamed 'the toaster house' because of the unique outdoor decorations) to hikers/bikers/travelers of all kinds, and loves hearing their stories and inviting them to check out some of the local sites. We ate our fill of pie at the Pie-O-Neer restaurant, and had a couple nights of singing out on the porch of the toaster house to revive our spirits before moving on to Grants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aHseLKWW3Y5YysCn-zhy9BJFcwEyUfodQchyphenhyphenM010Sxj32CEXPUrEvgUp3lOWVjC6cVu9PfZ4VrnPSF_F7gjdzO8UfXAcvhXzuSJ4gf3vzeK1L14lckT4yBeTMVlnqntlY9Zsrcx9efg/s1600/P4270174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aHseLKWW3Y5YysCn-zhy9BJFcwEyUfodQchyphenhyphenM010Sxj32CEXPUrEvgUp3lOWVjC6cVu9PfZ4VrnPSF_F7gjdzO8UfXAcvhXzuSJ4gf3vzeK1L14lckT4yBeTMVlnqntlY9Zsrcx9efg/s320/P4270174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PIE! In Pie Town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOwrUfjv12nyPXTD80ulE4EB874-zGoJZTZE99EZq7Zsn4M27IF3AwZCxyf6q5JMBzfav5X8nlP8kUQlAkwNxD1lH9kGbrLuNPU13S3L5W3FEkMFSLDLmg4MQNjwIzmZ8qNPC4-AleCM/s1600/P4280183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOwrUfjv12nyPXTD80ulE4EB874-zGoJZTZE99EZq7Zsn4M27IF3AwZCxyf6q5JMBzfav5X8nlP8kUQlAkwNxD1lH9kGbrLuNPU13S3L5W3FEkMFSLDLmg4MQNjwIzmZ8qNPC4-AleCM/s320/P4280183.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many hikers in one place, they had <br />to get a photo...or 12.</td></tr>
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<b><u>Pie Town to Grants</u></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i5EX3kQajNIvTZmKOIyhf7OHbJJNnfc4dNeQL6FfjxBBHPOyTH0D3riGy82rW5vW8fHpJPZyupRm4HOTmk07bmX6txScKGjOZB23izdYLzbTKthDq6BWd3d_J9fCKumI0dUXg9ZK8I4/s1600/P4280187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i5EX3kQajNIvTZmKOIyhf7OHbJJNnfc4dNeQL6FfjxBBHPOyTH0D3riGy82rW5vW8fHpJPZyupRm4HOTmk07bmX6txScKGjOZB23izdYLzbTKthDq6BWd3d_J9fCKumI0dUXg9ZK8I4/s320/P4280187.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for life outside Pie Town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6uWSUDcMDdNTFHj4WbQ8_VmXNEapuzB52sdN3S8LIEFTg1Yj-zhGXWjBU7IpD7GsnNtGPJp_lXcdr9YFKKRSbl9O49aBeq4eQPSexsHUPXZNM5UIDAPzAtzHnrBPoNpLWLo-sppx1K4/s1600/P4290198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6uWSUDcMDdNTFHj4WbQ8_VmXNEapuzB52sdN3S8LIEFTg1Yj-zhGXWjBU7IpD7GsnNtGPJp_lXcdr9YFKKRSbl9O49aBeq4eQPSexsHUPXZNM5UIDAPzAtzHnrBPoNpLWLo-sppx1K4/s320/P4290198.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drop off 2 dozen fresh eggs at the toaster <br />house and hikers will eat them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWGF4y9gu5-ew6IjdFGlj5YUYthFSP85bQr9_ZwzntkwqVZY8-nihjglVbVPMcQv8bq2nEsrVvkmc27521TkotQsHt8-Sa3dZ1W_0TxYeYgQ-2NrDNJyhyCHp68zBVn_b3HXco0sepfk/s1600/P4290203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWGF4y9gu5-ew6IjdFGlj5YUYthFSP85bQr9_ZwzntkwqVZY8-nihjglVbVPMcQv8bq2nEsrVvkmc27521TkotQsHt8-Sa3dZ1W_0TxYeYgQ-2NrDNJyhyCHp68zBVn_b3HXco0sepfk/s320/P4290203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only sign on the road walk out of Pie Town that didn't <br />read some version of "No Trespassing"</td></tr>
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We headed out of Pie Town and were greeted with a road walk along with light-to-medium gusting winds. This is becoming the norm for the CDT, and it makes me glad I chose to go north-bound so that I'll appreciate the actual trails even more when I am on them more often. Not only are road walks harder on the feet, I feel they're also tough on the psyche- am I on a trail here? It's a not-too-subtle reminder of how young and incomplete the trail truly is. We did get to see some native ruins, go past a beautiful arch along Hwy 117 into Grants, and see ALOT of lava rock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0ZLCdw4YEBBMBjxExPDrN94kc6ferf5ShD9uNjr0KOpn0mKnpTjmAL9RQSDbvb9Ic-p86P-lduUolxB4McjxdSlEoktCj0mwlmIVXPcVseQjmV7QxmpZqN86M7AGjrV3LxyNyntVk5k/s1600/P4300207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0ZLCdw4YEBBMBjxExPDrN94kc6ferf5ShD9uNjr0KOpn0mKnpTjmAL9RQSDbvb9Ic-p86P-lduUolxB4McjxdSlEoktCj0mwlmIVXPcVseQjmV7QxmpZqN86M7AGjrV3LxyNyntVk5k/s320/P4300207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruins up a canyon near the trail</td></tr>
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My feet are also hurting, to the point of generally having to focus on my breathing to abet the pain for the few hours of walking between breaks. Over the past few days- a couple before Pie Town and a couple after- I've had to be selective about which blister was causing the most pain so I could pop it that day. The rest in Pie Town helped, but did not solve my problem. Which is why I asked my resupplier extraordinaire, Fidget, to send me new shoes in Grants. I currently also have an ankle-sized lump an inch or so above my right ankle that I've started referring to as my third ankle- it doesn't hurt and I have no idea how it got there- any thoughts? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWeWU9DhgH2M98eGegaac7uHuGPXtCJrTHeT0CpD9VtY6se7fq2jzqUZ_Pjfd7v1zwuRfBVTyVQ0My3r572sDV6qlLVo9vd3lJhRGBu7GBYWFmUjic1yukncwazVwrq8gN0jEfOFzVOA/s1600/P5010218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWeWU9DhgH2M98eGegaac7uHuGPXtCJrTHeT0CpD9VtY6se7fq2jzqUZ_Pjfd7v1zwuRfBVTyVQ0My3r572sDV6qlLVo9vd3lJhRGBu7GBYWFmUjic1yukncwazVwrq8gN0jEfOFzVOA/s320/P5010218.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A blister under a blister? Yea, that.</td></tr>
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Looking ahead, it looks as though the trail becomes trail and we get to go up in elevation from the around 6,000ft we've been at since about Silver City. It'll be exciting to see what else New Mexico will throw at us, I'm looking forward to it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXwJLd_QL3Bc9wIN5eJ31L7fzOYfBCzd9mHvQV9Ic1gG4N0OmgK6QgVz57yl5nAUQhsNZXNh1PwBBrEcS20yxjmHQqJUPsxV7OfclewEQRzfozE_9MLBmFqjM2WbzFnMVX0-Y-VOmx0Q/s1600/P5010214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXwJLd_QL3Bc9wIN5eJ31L7fzOYfBCzd9mHvQV9Ic1gG4N0OmgK6QgVz57yl5nAUQhsNZXNh1PwBBrEcS20yxjmHQqJUPsxV7OfclewEQRzfozE_9MLBmFqjM2WbzFnMVX0-Y-VOmx0Q/s320/P5010214.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road walking to the arch</td></tr>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-54920603072502961542013-04-17T16:02:00.000-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.516-08:00Mile 140ish- Silver City, NM<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGnk2NXa95tLSzFj-RTR3Fx-KRhyphenhyphenj_A1S6gnN_X4RGPpVsQQ6BHAuZDOHrUwIlvsa5AZLaAYm5T4Hpesgez6OyTCDHMfr8ar7nIX2jwfNVZ2kimDlOUtiWdCPXhoidynp5fc3pnJZS-Q/s1600/P4110026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGnk2NXa95tLSzFj-RTR3Fx-KRhyphenhyphenj_A1S6gnN_X4RGPpVsQQ6BHAuZDOHrUwIlvsa5AZLaAYm5T4Hpesgez6OyTCDHMfr8ar7nIX2jwfNVZ2kimDlOUtiWdCPXhoidynp5fc3pnJZS-Q/s320/P4110026.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Border Marker had toppled, <br />
so I made my own</td></tr>
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Some people have called the ride to the Crazy Cooke Monument at the Mexican border "harrowing". It seemed like a less jolting ride into the field for me (from my previous job). After a surprisingly successful greyhound bus ride from Las Vegas to Lordsburg, NM, I joined up with Estero and Speed Bump for our ride to the border from a local gentleman named Sam Hughes. Sam charges a fee and requests that we send him a postcard from the end.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZXcpLFChDglEEkbgxf_1xVQEmvdp8QIyCM8RC2UzoXq8Ijz5E3ZV7AKnU8KlHaHI0iQJzn0HbI_1h_rPs-Zid6K9XIrCrR8gpOhllk1Y2WObR3qlxB7_ym3BeF8nEj8sUTVmEzVFyCg/s1600/P4130042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZXcpLFChDglEEkbgxf_1xVQEmvdp8QIyCM8RC2UzoXq8Ijz5E3ZV7AKnU8KlHaHI0iQJzn0HbI_1h_rPs-Zid6K9XIrCrR8gpOhllk1Y2WObR3qlxB7_ym3BeF8nEj8sUTVmEzVFyCg/s320/P4130042.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grim reminder that we're in the desert</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh523hvHLwpM_1VaezngWysSKx0ESa494Fb0L588ysREUoeCt4zp72hPRk1X30I36YYdWCoeAaJbjeFh84gPLpLmPcwhLSWiUHRWKe_5wmHXog4knwdrTqLAjXh1eSeiXlHd90Qxx1zJQQ/s1600/P4140044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh523hvHLwpM_1VaezngWysSKx0ESa494Fb0L588ysREUoeCt4zp72hPRk1X30I36YYdWCoeAaJbjeFh84gPLpLmPcwhLSWiUHRWKe_5wmHXog4knwdrTqLAjXh1eSeiXlHd90Qxx1zJQQ/s320/P4140044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water source?</td></tr>
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We then begin walking north, through canyons and open desert, the only shade for miles is under scrub oak that grow in the washes. This goes on for days (read:90 miles). The most memorable so far being a day in which there were gusting headwinds across an open, slightly uphill walk where we came across the poor cow who didn't quite make it to water. That's a grim reminder of how beautifully punishing the deserts in the southwest can be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3AbrqG1ugdX1dGPsivEYtR1gkCU-I0XwtDYBThP-dT3jtMM3P7pxogC4MNwB1v2zwiVaucQx_iYAsnL7ND7cpeQ29c-5glreLfmkp0WVKemt-TrgdtGPxt6bqIMoPKxc2Imff0ae_xQ/s1600/P4140045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3AbrqG1ugdX1dGPsivEYtR1gkCU-I0XwtDYBThP-dT3jtMM3P7pxogC4MNwB1v2zwiVaucQx_iYAsnL7ND7cpeQ29c-5glreLfmkp0WVKemt-TrgdtGPxt6bqIMoPKxc2Imff0ae_xQ/s320/P4140045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shade outside Lordsburg</td></tr>
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The border patrol have talked to us seemingly every chance they get, asking us about what we've seen and letting us know about the dangers of the area. Apparently this area is rampant in illegal drug smuggling/immigration.<br />
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I've been walking with Speed Bump and Estero since the border, and they're good company. In Lordsburg, we ran into a few other hikers who were planning on starting the Monday after we did. All were very nice, and excited to get going, even to the point of running from a block away to talk with us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43W8FKUkJEfjzcGR6UHPwkROz7VBdO-uWzgBJZ2bTwmhW6_IFJnUHJzy31k-OPB57uNtdiuqNVE1UKi7stnwG3rzjUAyFHAZEw8Mwv6HxaheiR2V7G32IhNkk2apEadbSPj7AokvzJoc/s1600/P4150047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43W8FKUkJEfjzcGR6UHPwkROz7VBdO-uWzgBJZ2bTwmhW6_IFJnUHJzy31k-OPB57uNtdiuqNVE1UKi7stnwG3rzjUAyFHAZEw8Mwv6HxaheiR2V7G32IhNkk2apEadbSPj7AokvzJoc/s320/P4150047.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NO CAMPING</td></tr>
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After Lordsburg, we finally got into some protected areas, the beginning of the Gila National Forest. There was much more coverage from the beating sun and wind, which I was very excited about. Then there was actual trail instead of hiking from CDT post to CDT post! It began a whole new world, and we began hiking with another hiker- Softwalker. All together, we've made it here to Silver City and are planning on heading back into the Gila to soak in some hot springs and enjoy some more desert scenery!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69dqQo1jjGzqyF1MIP6XQUyqGktRAknF-QNYBsuTlTIvfIPnIDqOR3-7KZvlNM5HNc9uws53GXuohBJdy6jGWPPP1FiEino2AGKI7ULSMDXElv0N_5FgZfPsE_e8_mkPu9S8tiQvpfWc/s1600/P4170060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69dqQo1jjGzqyF1MIP6XQUyqGktRAknF-QNYBsuTlTIvfIPnIDqOR3-7KZvlNM5HNc9uws53GXuohBJdy6jGWPPP1FiEino2AGKI7ULSMDXElv0N_5FgZfPsE_e8_mkPu9S8tiQvpfWc/s320/P4170060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road walk into Silver City</td></tr>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-18046512002576239022013-04-09T15:18:00.001-07:002018-01-04T10:52:56.598-08:00It's Nice to be Somebody's Hero.<b>April 10th, 2012 is not a memorable day for most people, but it is a day I doubt I'll ever forget. </b>On that day almost a year ago, I was involved in a potentially deadly car accident. It's one of the reasons I'm choosing to begin my CDT hike as near to April 10th as possible; to commemorate the first anniversary of my and<b> </b>a few of my friends survival. In this post, I'm going to attempt to give you my perspective of what happened that Tuesday, and possibly a look into why it effected me so deeply.<br />
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Here's some background information (If you already know this information, feel free to skip this paragraph): At the time of the accident, I was working as a field staff for a wilderness therapy company in Southern Utah. It's a program that helps adolescents and adults work through their struggles while in the wilderness; which basically means they're placed in one of eight numbered groups in the high deserts of Utah/Nevada for multiple weeks with trained staff and a therapist at hand and hopefully come out the other end having made some sort of progress. As a staff, I worked with a team for 8 days in the field and had 6 days off between shifts. We'd go in and out of the field- a two hour drive one-way, half of which is on dirt roads- on Tuesdays to switch out with the other shift- the staff who're in the field working with the clients while we had our days off. This transfer of people/information is called "switching out".<br />
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<b>On the afternoon</b> of Tuesday, April 10th, Elise, Dave, Charlie, and I were driving out to Group 7. Elise was driving the Ford F250, with Charlie in the front passenger seat, Dave behind Charlie, and I was sitting behind the driver. It was a lovely afternoon, the sun was out and the roads were dry. Spring had finally arrived in the high desert and we were all excited about the rising temperatures. On the drive out, we went through our routine: set weekly goals for ourselves, and talk about how we can support one another in achieving those goals. We also talk about what each client is working on in their therapy, and how to properly support the group. As we were driving along on the dirt roads, Elise had just finished updating us on a particularly tough client when she began going around a right-turning curve. We fishtailed on some loose gravel in the turn, and the driver proceeded to try and straighten out the truck by turning the steering wheel and attempting to take her foot off the gas pedal to step on the brake. <br />
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It didn't straighten us out. The truck went off the road on the inside of the turn, and we were in the sage brush. I was looking through the windshield thinking it was going to shatter with all the sage hitting it, so I ducked my head down into the center of the backseat and closed my eyes to protect them from broken glass. After that, the trucked rolled and I just remember the sound of my seatbelt catching right before my head smashed into the roof of the truck (or it may have been the roof smashing into my head). Surprisingly, the truck came to a halt upright in the middle of the road. As the dust was settling, we all checked to see if we were alright:<br />
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Charlie: "Is everyone alright?"<br />
Me: "Yeah, I think so."<br />
Dave: "I'm alright."<br />
Elise: "I'm not alright. I'm not alright."<br />
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Since the roof of the truck was crushed in, the doors didn't open. Thankfully, all but Dave's window and the front windshield had broken out, so Dave and I jumped out of my window to help Elise. She was sitting in her seat with her seatbelt on. I told her I was going to hold her hand, and took her left hand in mine. She said she had shooting pain down her arms (indicative of spinal injury) and she thought her foot was stuck under the brake pedal. Just then, Dave yelled, "There's fluid leaking out of the truck! Turn off the truck!" In my and Elise's mind, that meant we needed to move away from the truck- we'd all learned in our Wilderness First Responder classes that if the scene is unsafe, don't approach it. Since we were already in the scene, we had to move.<br />
<br />
Elise: "My foot's stuck, I can't get out."<br />
Me: "Well let's see if you can move it."<br />
Elise: "You're going to have to help me."<br />
<br />
Her foot wasn't actually stuck; in her delirium, she thought it was. Her ability to move her foot also showed me that the spinal chord wasn't severed, which is something I was fearful of in the back of my mind. I reached over her and unbuckled her seat belt, and aided in turning her back-first towards the door. Tucking my arms under her armpits and then supporting and stabilizing her head/neck with my hands and torso, I stepped onto the running board of the truck and lifted her straight up out of the driver's window. By this time Charlie had turned off the truck and then came around to the driver's side. As I was supporting the upper portion of her body, he carried the rest of her and we walked about 50 ft. or so down the road away from the vehicle, placing her down gently. I then began to talk with Elise while checking her for any outward signs of trauma while Charlie got some supplies from the items that had flown out of the truck bed during the roll-over. We were about 15 minutes from pavement, and Dave barely had cell phone service to call our field director, "We just had an accident, we're going to need an ambulance."<br />
<br />
Just as we placed Elise down, we were all momentarily silenced as a jet fighter flew very low over us, it was so surreal. I noticed blood in Elise's right ear, and had a moment of panic (bleeding ears generally suggests a cracked skull/head trauma). Thankfully it ended up being a small cut from glass, and since she was covered in broken glass, it made sense. After we laid her down on a sleeping pad and stabilized her head/neck, another truck full of field staff rolled onto the scene. This helped, as all of us from the accident were very much in shock. I chose to stay with Elise, taking turns holding her head or her hand and trying to keep the fine road dust from getting blown into her eyes/mouth/nose. She kept apologizing and was fully conscious the entire time. More and more people began arriving, including more staff teams, the head field director, and police. When the ambulance arrived on-scene, with me at her head (again) we rolled Elise onto a backboard after they put a neck brace on her. <br />
<br />
After Elise was taken to the ambulance to await the helicopter to the hospital, time seemed to speed up again for me. Here are some snippets of the rest of the day, possibly in order:<br />
<br />
The accident investigator asked us how many times we thought the truck rolled- Charlie, Dave, and I all agreed on once. He then told us the truck actually flipped twice, and showed us the divots in the dirt to indicate the two flips. He also asked us if anyone had been ejected as well as if the airbags went off. Neither of those things had happened, and we all looked at one another, baffled as to be so fortunate to be uninjured. <br />
<br />
A friend of mine (who was on another staff team) told me that the head field director had told her that she wasn't going into the field. He had thought she was in the accident, instead of me. Dave, Charlie, and I were asked to fill out multiple pieces of paperwork; one releasing the ambulance from taking responsibility of us, another for the program we worked for detailing the accident, another for the doctor we went to in St. George to get checked out. Photos were taken for insurance, and the helicopter took Elise to a hospital in Las Vegas. Dave, Charlie, and I got a ride out of the field with another driver. I ended up having a cut on my neck from my seatbelt, and head pain from my head hitting the roof (or the roof hitting my head). The doctor we all went to gave us pain killers and muscle relaxers and told us we were all fine.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKPoChH0NroJLcj4-HkFIXyi-8SDsFqMafMOoaOQ0hHF7TJaGoz_ABGsTUrOeurOYTobrSLL1fvKQo6mmrfRrNGRMuOwb1wRG2jM9S6YKkheVmyLhyphenhyphenT7u04F7Kml-gI8Po1QH6q1AcDQ/s1600/P4090022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKPoChH0NroJLcj4-HkFIXyi-8SDsFqMafMOoaOQ0hHF7TJaGoz_ABGsTUrOeurOYTobrSLL1fvKQo6mmrfRrNGRMuOwb1wRG2jM9S6YKkheVmyLhyphenhyphenT7u04F7Kml-gI8Po1QH6q1AcDQ/s400/P4090022.JPG" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The x-ray after the fusion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't believe it truly hit me about how fortunate I was to walk away from the accident until we were back at the program's office and the woman who handles HR looked at me, cringing, and said, "I saw where your head was" after she had seen the photos. The driver's side of the truck had hit first in the rolls, so it had crushed in more, with the driver's headrest bent in from the roof and the rear passenger's (my) roof crushed in to the headrest.<br />
<br />
It took me half an hour in the shower to comb the knots out of my hair because of the wind and all the dust in it. At the end of the day, Dave, Charlie, and I all sat around a table in Dave's yard, looking at each other in disbelief.<br />
<br />
A few days later, another friend and I drove down to visit Elise in the hospital, where she had undergone surgery the day after the accident to fuse some of her vertebrae together- she had broken her C7 vertebra in the accident. She was so excited to see us, and I got to meet her mom. I was told that the surgeon came out after the surgery and told her mom, "You're daughter's here for a reason" and then went on to explain that he's never seen a spinal injury that severe on a person who wasn't already dead.<br />
<br />
To this day, Elise calls me her hero for taking control of her head at the scene of the accident.<br />
<br />
I tell her I hope she never <i>ever</i> pays me back.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpu-Okio59GAPPTh-86bmVWF9NKTZQ3jC1BX-4d8XX6Z5wc6CJScmts_kKJwpkU4F6xmiXlAZF_v8VE6L2xTH0TGuI4TfDeomGD6QdGVzokNYNnjkXcbeLup1BPvai0k3Ttu6478M23P4/s1600/elise+doing+yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpu-Okio59GAPPTh-86bmVWF9NKTZQ3jC1BX-4d8XX6Z5wc6CJScmts_kKJwpkU4F6xmiXlAZF_v8VE6L2xTH0TGuI4TfDeomGD6QdGVzokNYNnjkXcbeLup1BPvai0k3Ttu6478M23P4/s320/elise+doing+yoga.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elise is currently enjoying and appreciating<br />
life more than ever before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-86237701699565459112013-03-30T09:47:00.002-07:002018-01-04T10:52:30.550-08:00The Final Countdown.....question mark?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85n72kJZGEB6TyvKCxAx2yXmQidDAiJ-4m-UeSLyxuqoyINqXJIOzbcpyyzKzrFwOxq_cJAIn7QSWWHuDP5yhiiS4izfEjyONh8PqHs9T8QAJnnx0Mmz9ZQrSwUAy5hcfowreJaEG7ho/s1600/IMG953747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85n72kJZGEB6TyvKCxAx2yXmQidDAiJ-4m-UeSLyxuqoyINqXJIOzbcpyyzKzrFwOxq_cJAIn7QSWWHuDP5yhiiS4izfEjyONh8PqHs9T8QAJnnx0Mmz9ZQrSwUAy5hcfowreJaEG7ho/s320/IMG953747.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nephew (Eli) and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been instructed to update my blog by multiple friends and have been avoiding it for the usual reasons, one of which being I'm trying to not get myself worked up before the hike. I feel as though it's almost setting yourself up for failure- I think it must just be one of my pre-hike superstitions. People have been asking how excited I am this week, and it's gotten me thinking about how excited I am. I believe I'm beyond the excited stage, and in the purgatory between having most things done and actually beginning to walk north from the Mexico border. Though recently, I've been talking with a lot of friends who have gotten me more excited, so I go up and down.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yuzoLSKZWJ8lZ1nPdCmNexMn_tlpdVB7epBJRvFk3XCwwCcz7k6E2CCXgwWV3cTsOG_dN8WVeQHozhkYtBeVV3bjgmWaw97q-rND4UE1JmYXmUY18nxUQHX8zaqNJEX_rd02NMZlOgg/s1600/DSCN7750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yuzoLSKZWJ8lZ1nPdCmNexMn_tlpdVB7epBJRvFk3XCwwCcz7k6E2CCXgwWV3cTsOG_dN8WVeQHozhkYtBeVV3bjgmWaw97q-rND4UE1JmYXmUY18nxUQHX8zaqNJEX_rd02NMZlOgg/s320/DSCN7750.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The checked bag of food I brought- 49.5 lbs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJpacPxUOMuQxfIREcFT00PjZ3FLhGQfldZ69_jyyDrgeZl0OufDaVMheLfVGikZ6zexq3FgTor9yrTfURa0TSOh1u5h4snnQVtPjnGvH7-kBIBz32GJ9SKOY2_JoaTp7XWdY485fr00/s1600/DSCN7748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJpacPxUOMuQxfIREcFT00PjZ3FLhGQfldZ69_jyyDrgeZl0OufDaVMheLfVGikZ6zexq3FgTor9yrTfURa0TSOh1u5h4snnQVtPjnGvH7-kBIBz32GJ9SKOY2_JoaTp7XWdY485fr00/s320/DSCN7748.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fidget and I talking resupply</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I have hiked long trails in the past, and have vague memories of how tortuous waiting to start another amazing journey can be, I planned two trips for the month of March. The first one was to Colorado, and was a multi-purpose visit. I was able to visit the many friends I made while living there, get to see my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew as well as babysit while they went out for her birthday, AND drop off my resupply stuff/talk trail with my friend <a href="http://bethanyhughes.wordpress.com/">Fidget</a> who'll be resupplying me. It was really great to see everyone and get to hang out with some family (both trail and genetic). I spent just enough time there to get more motivated to hike and travel.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38pHIUkEFsXzjVqxT-qdLsPc_byIKgwRO7aoc7rkMpjZC4uRULoXDhN0_gWUrHzbAwoeU7oBDlJC6GYjAv9nVD5Kj2UphLMFH5ZVEdAGFmLP5D2fpWXLq6bRyUMtft87X47LEQQfJVAE/s1600/P3210008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38pHIUkEFsXzjVqxT-qdLsPc_byIKgwRO7aoc7rkMpjZC4uRULoXDhN0_gWUrHzbAwoeU7oBDlJC6GYjAv9nVD5Kj2UphLMFH5ZVEdAGFmLP5D2fpWXLq6bRyUMtft87X47LEQQfJVAE/s320/P3210008.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drop-n-Roll Rappelling in Spry Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got back to Utah just in time for some great rock climbing weather and canyoneering season has officially begun! I went canyoneering with a new trail friend (Drop-n-Roll) because she was on a road trip passing through on the same day I was doing a canyon with some new friends- what timing! It was cold and fun introducing a new person to a canyon in Zion NP.<br />
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Also, staying busy helps the time pass faster, and I was/am doing my darndest to forget that I still have time to wait until starting the CDT. I'm trying to repeat the mantra: Be Here Now.<br />
<br />
I'm currently in Asheville, NC visiting some of my best friends, including some from the <a href="http://laurensbigadventure.blogspot.com/">Appalachian Trail</a>, along with my good friend <a href="http://wilddork.blogspot.com/">Tom</a> who recently biked across the country. We've been talking about our past adventures together, as well as future plans for the many more adventures to come.<br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-48362009631529629232013-02-26T10:03:00.000-08:002018-01-04T10:54:34.690-08:00In the Planning Stage<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ4wIgUU1Qi-QlinL3k1yHILqLom91E1nn98CkFDLEN3N5dTAGE_KyMk-WBi_YC_WSpAO-yKsbOLERscvTgL_ZN0-8G5T-niZiYMaIzx2l3p9LQbcxciA_gsljsTOMt7aJM6-p4BFzt0/s1600/IMG_0934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ4wIgUU1Qi-QlinL3k1yHILqLom91E1nn98CkFDLEN3N5dTAGE_KyMk-WBi_YC_WSpAO-yKsbOLERscvTgL_ZN0-8G5T-niZiYMaIzx2l3p9LQbcxciA_gsljsTOMt7aJM6-p4BFzt0/s320/IMG_0934.jpg" title="" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I feel like right now- minus<br /> the celebratory champagne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm currently at that stage in planning where one wants to be done with planning, and still has a lot left to do. I like to call it the "AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" stage. I call it this because you feel like running around like a chicken with your head cut off trying to get everything done, while at the same time wanting to avoid anything to do with planning your trip. In your mind, you're screaming your head off because of just wanting to be done with it all, and on the trip already. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To give you an idea of how these past months have gone, I'll lay out my two lists. By the way, I'm writing these from memory, so this is also an idea of what's going through my head right now. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's what I have done:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix72kX3mmqC2fZBZABXb2w4wMORNhOuDbU8eQvu7t52-Mc3H63mKi2q2R1J0eDyd1rYK4CtLRtKMMvt-HI7J6eq3zOFDjg3fBkJnwigwdKD7Msot1QpvorAyIpQKXq99sgd7PHkNSFs64/s1600/P4040001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix72kX3mmqC2fZBZABXb2w4wMORNhOuDbU8eQvu7t52-Mc3H63mKi2q2R1J0eDyd1rYK4CtLRtKMMvt-HI7J6eq3zOFDjg3fBkJnwigwdKD7Msot1QpvorAyIpQKXq99sgd7PHkNSFs64/s320/P4040001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What my sister's freezer looked like before the PCT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Made and dehydrated 3 months of dinners (yes, that's 90 meals)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Sent back my Montbell Jacket for repair- the zipper's broken</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Found and bought 2 cheap-ish pairs of Brooks' Cascadias</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Attempted to buy as many socks as I will need on-trail</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Attempt to buy as many Clif/Pro/Luna bars as I'll be able to stomach either on sale or pro deal</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Send my old tent back to REI</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Buy a new tent within my budget</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Ogle gear that I want, but can't afford</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Finished my taxes to see how much I can add to my budget</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Send back my base layers for replacement</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Buy a GPS, and load maps onto- we're currently trying to figure out why the topo isn't showing up</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Talk with Freebie about the trail- what to expect/towns to stop in/is anything going to eat me?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Went to CostCo for the first time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Contacted and set a date with the guy, Lee, who drives people to the Crazy Cook Monument- I'm officially starting April 11!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Sent my camera back to Olympus for (hopefully) repair</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Ordered new shoulder straps from Osprey</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Re-learned to drive a manual car</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Dehydrated a TON of fruit and vegetables</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's what I still need to get done before starting the CDT:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Figure out resupply points- thanks Pat for letting me look at yours!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Look at my maps and organize them a bit, reprint some that are missing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Make sure I'm square with the two people I owe money</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Find my trekking pole or perhaps buy a new pair</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Get tent stakes/learn to put up my new tent</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Make a tent floor out of the Tyvek my friend gave me</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Make/dehydrate a bunch of lunch spreads if I have time</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Go to CostCo again and get snacks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Hike the highest peak around- Signal Peak- which is about 10,000 ft</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Try to use up as much food as possible in the storage unit</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Figure out what to do with my computer while I'm on-trail- I don't want it to melt this summer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Get to Lee's house by the evening of April 10th, and pick up 2 other hikers in Lourdsburg, NM on the way</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlc9Bs_ZQ65NSj8gI-PofSubfRDZd5RtjauxvuNXA6hBJAS4jU10JnHE-ssnION9-l_WkWcNmg6ZeQr_62rCubJ6lp5RBuyJozBTskAu5Z-gG4JUwKWEcmkvI2F3fcvTEHrW9RPh61tRM/s1600/IMG_0809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlc9Bs_ZQ65NSj8gI-PofSubfRDZd5RtjauxvuNXA6hBJAS4jU10JnHE-ssnION9-l_WkWcNmg6ZeQr_62rCubJ6lp5RBuyJozBTskAu5Z-gG4JUwKWEcmkvI2F3fcvTEHrW9RPh61tRM/s320/IMG_0809.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there......</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Do yoga so I don't completely freak out</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Find a bleach-proof small container, so it doesn't leak all over my pack this time</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Pack everything I'll need resupplied to me in a suitcase and take it on a plane to Denver, where I'll be visiting my resupplier, Fidgit, and dropping it off. Thankfully I'll be flying Southwest. I'll also be visiting my lovely sister and Brother-in-Law as well as a plethora of others while in Colorado- I'm excited!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Go the Asheville to visit more of my amazing friends and see some of them off at the beginning of the Appalachian Trail!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alright, so some of the things I have to do before hitting the trail are amazing and wonderful. I'm glad I set it up that way, or would definitely be going stir crazy.</span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-29380813299509918102013-02-09T11:22:00.004-08:002018-01-04T10:52:56.611-08:00Why?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wvI1P-eqz2BRp16rdVmtpLVrT6jSccIFT9GKXL20R8RMsONSvpASflZrZr013VvcSq7THPdpX8M3_5_7h8mduObRIp6VIYhvXWuNjuiKcaznVAGvhUPBFWJSH00NqXBBnW-62Szy1Hg/s1600/IMG_0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wvI1P-eqz2BRp16rdVmtpLVrT6jSccIFT9GKXL20R8RMsONSvpASflZrZr013VvcSq7THPdpX8M3_5_7h8mduObRIp6VIYhvXWuNjuiKcaznVAGvhUPBFWJSH00NqXBBnW-62Szy1Hg/s400/IMG_0671.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>WHY?</b> I've been asked this question in different forms over and over when explaining my long hikes. "Why would you do that to yourself?", "Why would you go by yourself?", "Why not take some protection?" (in most cases, they're speaking of firearms or SAR beacons) , "Why not take that money and invest it/go on a nice vacation/buy something tangible?" One of the most memorable- "I just read your blog. I don't like that." My mom was referring to <a href="http://neonspctadventure.blogspot.com/2010/06/attempt-to-hike-north-from-sanora-pass.html">this post</a> from my PCT thru-hike.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I explain my reasoning if the person asking is open to it. My explanations are most times tired and boring: "It's fun...mostly", "I like to challenge myself", "I can't take that, it'd be too heavy/illegal", "Yes", "No". Most of my adventurous friends understand my desire to hike on some level, even if they don't understand why I would choose to do multiple marathon- to ultra-marathon- distance days in a row for months on end. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I definitely ask myself this question at times. Why did I neglect to bring a compass? Why am I crossing a 30 degree-angled ice field with a few hundred-foot open drop below as the sun just hit it with one trekking pole and trail runners? Why am I alone in mountain lion/bear/Roan Mountain territory? Why am I hitch-hiking solo? Why did I just do this/that/the other? Why <i>didn't </i>I just do this/that/the other? Why did I eat all that food knowing I had a 15-mile uphill coming out of town? Why are there so many BUGS?!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so many reasons I choose to thru-hike, as well as live my life the way I do. The camaraderie. The views. The wildlife. The not-so-wildlife. The challenge. It's something I'm good at. I get higher feelings of self-awareness from it. The gear I now have an excuse to buy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I love the accomplished feeling I get from challenging myself. Some parts of our society have become too comfortable, too easy. I promised myself a while ago I would never become complacent.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All of these reasons boil down to one constant theme: because I can. I hike because I can. I explore the world around me, try new things, do things that (at times) scare the living daylights out of me, eat, move, sleep, be merry <i>because I can.</i> I am one of the lucky ones, which I try to constantly remind myself. I get to hike for thousands of miles because I want to. I get to be myself, be who <i>I</i> want to be. I don't have much holding me back- my body works well enough, I have all of my original parts and pieces. My mind works too efficiently- at times I can't keep up with it. I don't have any societal norms holding me back, no parent selling me to the highest bidder, no terrible situation I have to make it through. I'm not starving, restricted in many ways, in a war zone, or terribly mentally/physically mutilated. So I can.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I do. I love living life to the fullest, at times to the chagrin of members of society whose priorities are different. As I'm hiking above tree line along the spine of a 12,000 ft mountain, on my 30th mile of the day, looking forward to dinner even though I just ate lunch, I think to myself, <i><b>"Why not?"</b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4430824098802544819.post-19552388695694001462013-01-29T16:04:00.002-08:002018-01-04T10:55:47.413-08:00A Look Back and Forward<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>"Go at it not to complete your triple crown. A number of folks who were just going for that, dropped out. It's harder than the PCT emotionally. Go for it because you love being out there no matter what happens. Go for it for the sheer love of trail." </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>-Shroomer (PCT 2010, CDT 2012)</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel my friend Shroomer makes a very good point in this quote from an email to me- I interpret it as:do it because you want to, not because you have to/feel you need to. I feel this both embodies the 'hike your own hike' mentality of many thru-hikers, and also reminds me of my brother-in-law's mentality of 'no excuses' (because why <i>wouldn't</i> you want to do it?). I truly love the outdoors, and challenging myself both mentally and physically in the wilderness brings me as close as I've yet come to the devine in my life and I plan to continue pursuing outdoor adventures for as long as I'm able.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are some amazing adventures I've been fortunate enough to include thus far in my life:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- Thru-hiking the AT (Appalachian Trail) 2008</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zt7WikK3YZUaDYo7ruEKQ2xP-Ol-LETNtlZh3NJoDOW-R7xC9iEC-hAwvqTTtk51JWHOTT7Ibrb6DXrsCADsU6hSL591tYkW0_88mnFI2yS1z4GVV4exyiKaugbivVS5cLj7cti-wUg/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zt7WikK3YZUaDYo7ruEKQ2xP-Ol-LETNtlZh3NJoDOW-R7xC9iEC-hAwvqTTtk51JWHOTT7Ibrb6DXrsCADsU6hSL591tYkW0_88mnFI2yS1z4GVV4exyiKaugbivVS5cLj7cti-wUg/s400/IMG_0933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- Thru-hiking the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) 2010</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4iVDxebzzsmHr6uVUFbyjjGbfdwlec3JD2E8AHnqDdHEmvjItyIbghRCbkkEBBiV2K4s5c9hcENsl-wkpOBFKoPwn0MW7exCAhVwUg_Nf-ZDC0McunnuJzUVYSWLSB4_yrlZQWBF_vE/s1600/PCT+finish+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4iVDxebzzsmHr6uVUFbyjjGbfdwlec3JD2E8AHnqDdHEmvjItyIbghRCbkkEBBiV2K4s5c9hcENsl-wkpOBFKoPwn0MW7exCAhVwUg_Nf-ZDC0McunnuJzUVYSWLSB4_yrlZQWBF_vE/s400/PCT+finish+photo.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- Thru-hiking the CT (Colorado Trail) 2012</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5BIj5j_DQ-RDwWtq9aI1X_KObbUV-Jtq2CX_damPMpoY8lDBipeCRiH7D3NK1cTyEzhOh0SGUuMkr5fGDicL3S3cC61kdhW8esffC8lajNYFB770E-fZVlIxslA9vcDBeoeZmHjx648/s1600/P8100156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5BIj5j_DQ-RDwWtq9aI1X_KObbUV-Jtq2CX_damPMpoY8lDBipeCRiH7D3NK1cTyEzhOh0SGUuMkr5fGDicL3S3cC61kdhW8esffC8lajNYFB770E-fZVlIxslA9vcDBeoeZmHjx648/s400/P8100156.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- Hiking across Zion National Park (trans- Zion hike) 2012</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLe3iA9i3pFCxoAGMs-vHkmG7zFiBw_TBm9catvP45J5_GY_d3u2QCZ8L_sAfN-z4ZdYg0We6wh8Fjrsu7Hnm9_wQWW_7YwRRtiqkS2-Uact1v2CeX1tkJ59q2GDPxYUK70VjvFzyrbmY/s1600/P6021286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLe3iA9i3pFCxoAGMs-vHkmG7zFiBw_TBm9catvP45J5_GY_d3u2QCZ8L_sAfN-z4ZdYg0We6wh8Fjrsu7Hnm9_wQWW_7YwRRtiqkS2-Uact1v2CeX1tkJ59q2GDPxYUK70VjvFzyrbmY/s400/P6021286.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- Many other random adventures with all my amazing friends</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I cannot wait to get on the CDT! I'm just beginning to get food and mail drops prepped, as well as making some final decisions on gear choices- new tents are</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>expensive</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">! I'll try to update at least once a week up to beginning my hike in early/mid April.</span> </div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11905434705108755057noreply@blogger.com5