Old friends

After the not-so-good-nights-sleep, I was up at day break and hiking the 10 miles to CO Highway 114. A very good friend from WAY back (we're talking kindergarten) was meeting me there to bring me a big lunch!!!! In talking to Duke, he said he was getting off trail at Gunnison. I like hiking alone but not so much camping alone. Especially after last night! There are just not too many folks out here this late in the season. So I am going to stop at Gunnison and regroup.

Met Karen and her husband Bob (whom I had been dying to meet) and they brought a feast! Complete with chairs! 

It was SO great to catch up. I credit Karen's parents, Bob and Greta with giving me the camping bug. I used to go camping with their family when we were kids and occasionally camp out in their backyard too :). And then, they were so kind as to give me a ride (and it's quite a distance) to my car, back in Leadville. What a treat. Good to see friends so happy!

So, tonight, I am staying in Leadville and then heading back to Kansas to gather my stuff that is still there and hauling it back out here because next week....I WILL HAVE A HOME AGAIN! Yahoo!!

This summer has been ...very surreal. The PCT seems like a lifetime ago. I've hiked around 1200 miles and that is plenty for now.  I'm ready to eat veggies regularly. And wear cotton. And shower daily . (Well...almost) And sleep in a bed. And not just any bed. My bed. I'm ready to have my stuff. In my own place. And get back to work. I'm ready for normal. A new normal though. One without my dad and that's a tough one. This last year, after losing so many good friends, I think my dad was pretty sad. I didn't see him laugh often, and he liked to laugh. Mom said, when I was out hiking, he would get up in the morning and ask if there was a new post in my blog. Something for him to look forward too. That made me happy and sad at the same time. Even though he didn't really agree with what I was doing ('gone south in him' he used to say) some part of him got it. 

So...no more backpacking this year. No more tuna packs, hanging my food in trees or sleeping with a pillow made of dirty hiking clothes stuffed in a sack. 

Next chapter...Fort Collins. 

And one last pic for you Dad...

At least for now ❤️

I'm 

So the day started with this. Not too bad!! Got up and was on the trail early because I wanted to make some good mileage. 

Honestly, it was kind of a rough day. Not physically, although there were a few decent climbs, but just emotionally. It was a beautiful sunrise but then it got cloudy and chilly. A lot of the terrain today was hiking through pine forests that had been decimated by the pine beetle. It's shocking how much damage they've done. It was sort of bleak.

The day brightened a little at lunch when I reached into my food bag and remembered that I'd brought an avocado from Salida. And it was perfect. 

I enjoy hiking alone, but also enjoy meeting seeing other hikers on the trail. There was no one out here today, probably because it is really the end of the season. 

The sun popped out intermittently this afternoon and lo and behold...I came across another hiker. Duke. A guy who had done the AT in 2012 and also the guy who I had given my old water filter to a couple days ago! Small trail :) Anyway, we both had the same goal for camping tonight, Razors Creek(which is actually more like Razors Trickle) So, camped here by the 'creek ' tonight. 

I am in segment 17 right now, a segment notorious for cows and all that comes with them. But since it's fall, I think they have all been moved to lower pastures for the winter, leaving these beautiful high country pastures.

Nights are getting chillier. SO happy that I was camping by Duke! Right as we got into our tents and it got dark, we heard the scream from a big cat. I've heard bobcats and this was no bobcat. We both turned on our headlamps, made a bunch of noise, and blew whistles. I have to admit, it was pretty scary. He was pretty cool about it, but an hour later as I was about to doze off , he said, "If anything happens, just start blowing your whistle and shaking your tent to appear big and loud." So, needless to say...not the best nights sleep!! 

Out of Salida

Big breakfast this morning at the Patio Pancake Place in Salida. I love breakfast food! Tif dropped me off at the trailhead and is on her way back to Kansas. She did awesome and it was fun!

The first ten miles were a slow, gradual climb up to 12,000 feet. Got pretty steep at the end, but totally worth the view!

Lots of mountain bikers on the trail today and there were about ten people up there when I got to the top. I can't imagine riding up or down this trail on a bike. Amazing!

At the top is where the CDT/Collegiate West/Collegiate East, all converge again. 

After this climb, it was all fairly nice. No major ups or downs. Just a combo. 

Lots of downed trees in this segment, but also lots of yellow flowers. 

With the relatively easy terrain, I made good miles despite the late start (and huge breakfast!) Sometimes at the end of the day, you search and search for a flat spot and you finally just have to settle for rocky, slippery spot. (See notes from two days ago 😝)   And sometimes you just get lucky. I got lucky today ! 

Salida!!

So last night ranks as my #1 slantiest tent site ever! Kind of a workout just trying to sleep without ending up in a pile at the bottom of my tent. We were hiking pretty early because it was a TOWN DAY! We only had 10 miles to do. Got to the road before noon and started trying to hitch the thirteen miles into Salida. It had been a beautiful day but as we were standing there waiting for a ride, it began to pour . Boo! But then a van door opened...a guy there crewing for some bikers, and he let us sit inside the van for the brief downpour. Rain stopped, his riders showed up, and another hiker came by who had a broken water filter. Tif had been using my old filter, so I gave him that one. We walked out to the road and quickly got a ride with a doctor and his wife and we all went on our merry way. So again, things worked out the way they are meant to! And then there was this...

And good food. Lots of it.

Heading out on my own tomorrow. 252 miles down! 

Big day

We decided to get moving early today for a couple of reasons. We wanted to get close to Salida AND we knew we could make it to Mount Princeton Hot Springs resort if we kicked it in.  No huge climbs today so we made it in good time! 

We knew there was a general store there but were thrilled to find a restaurant too! Ate some big food and caught up with some emails lounging on the couches outside. And of course....

One of these is because I know I should, the other is because it's what I want!!

We spent about 2 hours lounging around, eating ice cream and finally dragged ourselves away at about 2:00. We had a few climbs, nothing major so we decided to hike later than normal to get closer to Salida. Tifs ending point and the first chance to do laundry in a week. P.U.  

There was some really spectacular scenery today. The grand scale of these Collegiate Peaks is awesome.

      Mount White

And then we saw this amazing sky!

We hiked late because we were deep in the woods and there were no flat spots for our tents and lots of downed trees. Finally found a 'flat' spot....if you consider a 30 degree angle flat😜. Gonna be a night spent climbing back up to the top of my tent!  

Got in just in time to hang out food and throw up our tents.

Our longer hiking day thus far , even with a two hour break, we did 24 miles. Yeeha!

What a difference

So, I am pretty diligent about hanging my food bag to protect it/me from bears. But when it is pouring and lightning and thunder...forget about it!   So last night, I literally opened my tent fly, and flung my bag as far from my tent as I could. I figured at least I wouldn't have some bear come sniffing around my tent. Woke up about midnight to what sounded like something crinkling candy wrappers. Shined my headlight out through the rain but didn't see anything. Until this morning when I ventured out to get my food and there were a few little holes gnawed through. Some little creature almost had a feast!

It Pretty much rained all night. Then this morning, the wind picked up. I thought maybe that was good news because it might dry my tent off for a bit. No such luck. We finally gave up waiting for a break in the weather and got out in the cold drizzle to pack up camp. Tif did great and got a real taste of the 'not-so- great' days of backpacking. We had several miles of down , so we booked it for several reasons...knock some miles out early, warm up and hopefully walk away from the clouds.  Fixed a warm freeze dried meal for lunch in case it was raining again tonight. Pretty tasty lasagna. We had another big, steep climb right after lunch. But as we were climbing, the sun came out. Yay! Got over the top to an open sunny spot and tired drying our soaking wet tents out a bit.

Hiked by another of the big Collegiate Peaks, Mount Yale. Incredible.

We got in some good miles today and it turned out to be a beautiful day. Camping tonight by a nice creek about 2500 feet lower than last night. Even got here in time to cook a warm meal (my fav- chicken and dumpling) Setting up camp was so much more relaxing tonight!!

Rain, rain go away

Had a nice breakfast at the Twin Lakes Inn. If you're ever in the area, I would highly recommend it. Good food at the restaurant and a quaint little inn. 

Started on the trail and came to this sign

On this segment of the trail, there are two options through the Collegiate Peaks. The West is the newest and has higher elevations. We opted for the traditional route (east) It is late in the season and although the weather is never totally predictable, we just felt like it was the better option.  We had two big climbs today. Not as steep as Elbert, but plenty of elevation gain. And we got to walk through lots of Aspen trees.

The Collegiates are incredible. A photo of Mount Harvard...

As we were about 1/2 mile from the top of our last climb, the sky got dark and the thunder started up. The top is not where you want to be in a thunderstorm!! We scurried over as fast as our lungs would allow and started down the other side. We were low on water too, so we knew we were going to have to stop for water and then quickly find a flat spot for our tents. Came to a stream and as we were filtering our water, the rain started. We were up above 11,000 feet so it was getting chilly fast. Threw our packs back on and hustled down. Came to a flat spot and quickly began to throw up our tents. Funny how hands don't work as well when they are cold and wet!! Got our tents up (although they were a little cock-eyed. Big Agnes would not be proud)

Literally threw everything inside and dove in after.  Needless to say, it was a little damp inside.  Blew up my air mattress and used it as an island to keep all my dry stuff dry. Thank goodness for Dry sacks! Clothes and sleeping bag were fine. Quickly changed and burrowed into my bag to get warm. It's still raining now, but I am warm and dry-ish. 

Thunder started up around 8 which was a little unsettling. As we were dozing off, we heard several groups heading up to the top with their headlamps in the dark. What??? Walking up above tree line at night in a thunderstorm? HYOH definitely applies i guess. Hike Your Own Hike.

I can't say that I love setting up my tent in the pouring rain, but it definitely makes for a memorable day!

This ones for you Dad!

Mount Elbert

Clear skies this morning so Elbert was a go! Elbert is rated as a Class 1 Fourteener (meaning it's one of the 'easier' ones) Well, it kicked my butt! I've done several fourteeners but never with a full pack. Big difference. And then there's the little thing called oxygen. Or lack or it!

Breathing break cleverly disguised as a photo op. 

Whenever I start one of these challenges, and it starts to get hard, I wonder why in the heck I thought this was a good idea? Elbert isn't part of the CT and I could have just gotten up at a regular hour, and hiked the mostly downhill few miles into Twin Lakes for some town food. Then I look around me and see this

And I am reminded why. I mean, a hamburger has its own kind of delicious beauty but it can't compare.  As we got close to the top...it started to flatten out a little and then we were there!

Met all sorts of cool people. Again...hikers are good people. 

Thought of my dad a lot today. 

Kind of amazing how many rocks are heart shaped :)

Hiked down Elbert and in to Twin Lakes. We arrived later than we had anticipated, so instead of having a burger and hiking on...we had a burger and a beer (or two) and are spending the night. And a shower. And met more cool people. Another good day in the mountains.

 

Almost to Elbert

Hiking by 7:30 this morning. It was chilly but sunny!

Leapfrogged with a few other hikers but it's pretty quiet out here!

Temps were perfect. Low 60's. Had a few decent climbs but I already felt better than I did yesterday.

We got in some good mileage today and are camping at the trail junction with Mount Elbert. Highest fourteener in Colorado. 

That's Elbert with a dusting of snow. The weather looks good tomorrow morning (fingers crossed) so we are going to take the side trail (not part of the CT) and hopefully summit it tomorrow morning. 

Got to our camping spot and the thunder started up after a beautiful day. Got our tents up, climbed inside and this happened...

A bit of hail. Not to bad and didn't last long. I was happy to be in my tent! Again! The storm passed relatively quickly and the sun popped back out. 

Early to bed so we can be on the trail early tomorrow. And...there is the hope of some town food at Twin Lakes as a summit celebration if things go as planned.

Out of Leadville

We stayed at the Leadville Hostel last night before starting the hike today. It was really great and there were several other hikers there, so we sat around and swapped trail stories for awhile before going to bed. 

Packed up early and we were going to hitch the ten miles out to the trailhead , but Tif struck up a conversation and before we knew it, we had a ride out from Michael. A retired pharmacist who has been coming to Leadville every summer for about 21 years.

The weather started out a little chilly and drizzly.  Came to a really pretty little stream

We found a great rock overlook for lunch and just in time, the sun came out and warmed us up. 

No major climbs today, but I was definitely feeling the altitude! 

The skies started getting dark again and thundering, so we cut it short a little and threw up our tents before the rain started. Got everything inside before it started. It was a really nice, steady, gentle rain for the next few hours. Perfect for reading and napping. It has been a pretty stressful, emotional six weeks, and it was really nice to just do nothing . 

Had a good dinner once the rain stopped, hung out food and back in my nice, warm, dry tent. 

So...

ILife has changed a lot since I last wrote. My funny, stubborn and incredible dad has passed away. He taught me how to throw a baseball, laugh at a good joke, and enjoy a good burger. He took a pretty terrible fall in July. We had high hopes that he was going to be able to overcome, but sadly that did not happen.  The feeling is surreal. One of my cousins put it perfectly. "The world keeps moving along, but your world is forever altered."  I came home to be with him after his fall, and I am so thankful that I was able to have that last month with him. In the hospital, even as it was becoming harder for him to communicate clearly, he kept his sense of humor. When one of the nurses asked him if he knew who my mom was, he looked at her and said, "Zorba the Greek."  The nurse looked very concerned and confused, until I laughed and assured her he was kidding. It's a joke people! :)

So, now we work to find a new normal. One without my dad, sitting in his chair reading or watching golf.  I've known my whole life, that if I ever really needed to track my dad down, I could find him every weekday morning at 9:00 at the coffee shop with his gang.  Consistent and solid. When I decided to hike the Appalachian Trail, Dad was pretty sure 'I'd gone south him.'  But as I started out , he became my biggest supporter. He was proud. As a matter of fact, while he was in the hospital, every time he would introduce me to a nurse or doctor, he would say, "This is my daughter Joanne. She hiked the whole Appalachian Trail. "  I mean...what would he have told people about me if I hadn't? 'This is my daughter Joanne.... (Pause. Awkward silence)" 😊

Things are settling down here. My mom is sad but strong. It's time to start trying to move forward. I still have a few weeks until I am able to move in to my place in Fort Collins. I've completed some work I had here, packed my bags AND my backpack, and am heading back out to Colorado. Leadville to be exact and start up on the CT where I got off and hopefully finish this trail before I get moved in. I'm ready to be walking. 

And this time, my Dad won't be following my blog from home. He'll be walking along with me. Love you Daddio.

My friend, Tiffany, from home is joining me for this first week. As we pulled into Leadville tonight, we saw THE most amazing sight. It was a beautiful sunset, but even more beautiful was the reflection of the sunset on the clouds and snowy peak on the other side of the valley. This is just the reflection!!!!!! Absolutely stunning.

Heading home

So, hiked all day today with no phone service. Finally found someone with a satellite phone and called home to check on my dad. He is back in the hospital and so I am heading home. It's a fantastic trail and I will finish it soon. 

Busting out of Breck...

Sometimes it's really hard to leave a town! Breckenridge is definitely one of those places, but after a great night at Ed and Polly's, two trips to Mary's Mountain Cookies, pizza, beer and numerous diet cokes...it was time.  Ever so slowly. Ed and Polly dropped us back off at the trailhead at about 12:30. Started hiking across the slopes of Copper Mountain and next to the golf course. Clean Socks decided to do a little trekking pole golf :)

After about a mile and a half, we heard music and merriment. As we came out of the woods, we saw some sort of festival going on and so we paid heed to this sign 

And slowed our pace and got sucked in to the Mac and Cheese festival.  Sat in the shade for a bit, drank an icy cold soda and people watched, before heading out. (After a little trail goofiness)

Then we finally began hiking up the mountain in earnest. Saw this cool rock and had to take a photo

We are about a day ahead of schedule and after the tough climb yesterday, we only did about 8 miles today. It was all a slow, gradual climb and much of it was in this beautiful, open Meadow

Tomorrow, we will finish this climb, and then it looks like we may have a few days without any super huge climbs.