We knew when we set up our tent last night that we were going to encounter the “least liked” word in the English language this morning when we awoke—moist. Sadly, it went way beyond moist to soaked. I sat up to head out to pee at 5:30 and soaked my head and shoulders. It woke me up so thoroughly that I just stayed awake to prepare breakfast.
How did we handle our food knowing that a mama black bear and 2 cubs were in the area? We didn’t change a thing. I slept with one food bag under my head, the other 2 bags between our heads, with the bear vault and trash at Bunny’s feet. I’m firmly convinced black bears pose no problem to people (unless it’s the habituated town bears looking for a fix…crack whores are always a danger). As long as we are out in the woods, I’m not worried. It’s when we come to established camps where bears and people usually intermingle that I become concerned.
How about grizzlies/brown bears? I’ll say this. I’ve only come face to face with one in my life. It was less than 10’ away staring in my eyes. I had two fences between us, one of which was electrified, and I nearly soiled myself. There is no doubt grizzlies are the top of the food chain. When we do venture into grizzly country, I’m sure I’ll sleep as poorly as Bunny does.
Civilization is noisy. We were less than a mile from the main thoroughfare into Lake Tahoe Basin and the traffic sounds kept us up until the drugs kicked in. But more than traffic has an effect on us at this point. Two years ago when we finished the AT, Bunny was near panic attack level if we went to a movie because of the sensory overload. Last year was my turn, I couldn’t stand being around TVs or listening to the sounds of a city at night. I was becoming sleep deprived.
Because it was so cold and moist this morning, we were able to break camp faster than Bunny breaks wind (she stops in the middle of the trail to do so—a 100% guaranteed tell). We both skipped the hole digging routine. Bunny for about a mile. Me for all day knowing that we only had 8 miles to go to a pit latrine. My Boy Scout summer camp bowel holding experience is finally paying off in spades. I’m glad those ex-lax days are behind me.
We made it to camp by 2. We were completely set up, including water before 3. We splurged and had “high tea” with chocolate chunk cookies to kill some time before I made supper. The magnificence that is trail supper (asparagus, chicken and dumplings, olives, and peanut M&Ms) was completed by 5:15. We even took our pills and brushed our teeth trying to kill a little more daylight. We were ready for the tent at 5:17. Bunny said she was going to read and I said I was going to finish the blog entry for today.
Here’s Bunny’s proposed entry for the day: “We were cold last night. We got up early and trudged along all day. My pack felt heavier than yesterday. We didn’t see hardly anyone on the trail today. We made it to camp by 2, set up and went to bed.” THIS is why I write the blog. An addendum, “it was all sunshine, rainbows, and bunny rabbits guiding us all day.” My adder to her entry, she just forgot.
Even though her entry was, technically, correct, there’s no pizzazz. She doesn’t mention how bad my feet have been hurting yesterday and today. I can’t decide if my inserts are past their life span. Bunny was convinced hers were, so we bought her a new pair on our last zero. Now, Bunny has found the “perfect combination of shoes and inserts. My feet are the best they’ve been.” It’s hard to believe that when this is the 3rd time this year she’s said that.
Another possibility for MY feet hurting is the weight I’m carrying. We are carrying 7 days worth of food (we usually carry one day more than we need, just in case…). Plus, we’re in long dry stretches of trail which is dictating our mileages and forcing us to carry full water. We had the choice of just under 9 today or almost 24 because of water sources. Of course we aren’t going to do a 24 at this point. At least, not without Sassy, because she would want credit for the extra 0.6 miles back to the trail we did this morning. I miss the whole “net vs gross” arguments we used to have.
I’m sure my feet are hurting because of the combination of both factors. My insoles are worn out. I bought them in Ashland, OR which was about 450 trail miles ago. I’m too cheap to buy new ones with only 70 miles to go. My feet have a history of hurting when we leave town with too heavy of a load. Sadly, the definition of what’s “too heavy” is reducing with age.
We are coming to the end of this year’s hiking season (for us). We will “just” get a thousand miles in. The worst output for us since we got married. Even so, we can’t consider this year a failure when we’ve had such a good time. We’ve met lots of great people and hiked with some great friends. With only four more hiking days to go, I’m probably going to start some reminiscing in the next few entries. For today, it’s getting pretty late. It’s already past 6 and Bunny drugged me 45 minutes ago. This day is done.
EFG