Day 53

​12.6 miles hiked


Today I woke up around 6:30 and stayed in bed till 7 which is when my alarm was set to go off. 
2 hours until 9am which is when Abel will drive myself and Jess to town to pick up more hikers and then to walkers pass.
Jess is having to skip ahead to Kennedy Meadows due to her hip hurting her and I’ll see her when I arrive in 3-4 days. Hopefully that will be enough rest for her to heal up.
 
After w me picked up the other hikers we quickly went to the post office so I could mail some cards home and the other hikers could mail things home as well. 
 
We got on the road around 10 and arrived at walkers pass around 11. I rested for a bit under the shade and spoke to a woman who is following her husband on the trail with their border collie, Murph. He was a very sweet puppy who is 4 years old. I pet him for a good 20 minutes. 


Off I go around 12pm, I planned to hike to the first water source 12.6 miles away and set up camp there. I need to ease my body back into hiking after only hiking 17 miles in the last 4-5 days. 


I really wasn’t feeling the day. I didn’t want to hike. I had to put in music to get me through that first mile. After that I was enjoying the grind again… but kept my music in for good measure. 


The day was mainly uphill. The first 8.5 miles to be exact. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was for elevation, but still, I was definitely feeling the miles under my feet. 


Around 1pm I took a quick rest in the shade and spoke to a hiker named Physio from Australia. We ended up hiking a bit together for about a mile getting to know each other. 


Around 3pm I took my rest for lunch and ate a new meal of a sun-dried tomato and basil tuna wrap. It tasted pretty good so I’ll eat it again tomorrow most likely. 


Around 4pm I caught back up with Physio and we decided to meet up at the water source and camp in the area together for some company. 
I hiked ahead because I’m a faster “downhill” hiker then he is. Even though he is  just over 6 feet tall haha.
It must be because I’m lower to the ground haha! 
Around 6:30 I made it to camp and rested on my sit pad for a while. Just contemplating life.


Turns out we didn’t need to keep each other company tonight because there were at least 15 hikers at this campsite all scattered around! The most I’ve seen tenting at the same campsite in a while. 


Have you ever been so tired after hiking that u can’t go get water or make food or set up your tent or anything for a while? 
That was me today. 


I ate about 45 minutes after sitting down and ate my classic ramen again. 
It’s almost a comfort food now.


Then around 7:45 I set up camp finally and by 8:15 I was in my tent and now I’m writing this day’s blog :) 


First night in my tent in a while. Sunset was beautiful. Crickets are chirping loudly tonight. 
A perfect way to end the evening.
Today was a great day. A fantastic day. 
Even with my feet hurting I truly enjoyed this day.