PNT Day 11 – And Then There Were Two
Mile 150.7 to mile 161.2
Starman and I begin hitching under the midday sun but by the time we arrive at the trailhead the clouds have knit themselves closed to form a cool blanket. It’s just the two of us on this afternoon’s climb out of the valley as Bookworm decided to walk the road to the trailhead. This deviation marks a larger shift as a group as Bookworm will be hiking on ahead of us. They have an earlier end date than we do, in addition to being a stronger and faster hiker than Starman and myself who is capable of doing a higher daily mileage. When we started this trail I knew all of these things to be true, still, I’m sad that our time together is coming to an end so quickly. Bookworm is one of my favorite people both on the trail and off, and I’m incredibly grateful to have gotten to spend this much time together in such a beautiful place.
PNT Day 12 – Sodden
Mile 161.2 to mile 172.2
It’s 10am by the time we accept that it’s not going to stop raining. It’s 11:30am by the time I don my still wet clothes and pack away the sodden tent and finally begin moving down the trail.
Outside the world is a beautiful dreamscape of vibrant trees peaking through the mist. It’s not raining so hard as it sounded from within the tent and I resign myself to being wet. Today we are climbing 4,000 feet in just over 11 miles, a pace which makes me too sweaty to tolerate my rain jacket.
All day Starman and I move through this small quiet world, the usual vastness of nature having been muted and shrunken by the fog and drizzle. It’s almost like walking on a treadmill with a repeating backdrop. We climb, often in silence, each lost to our own world.
At our final water stop of the day a familiar shape emerges through the fog. It’s Bookworm! They pulled a 20 mile day with 6,000 feet of gain to catch up to us because they are a champion and a delight. The three of us reunited push on to the Mt. Henry lookout which we find mercifully empty and stocked with fire wood. We spend the evening idylly chatting while we wait for all our wet gear to dry.
PNT Day 13 – Yaak
Mile 172.2 to mile 185.9Marveling at the miracle that is being indoors we wake to find that our soaking gear has dried in the night. More glorious still is that the storm has blown away with the wind and left us a beautiful blue sky day with bands of clouds nestled peacefully in the valleys below.
Bookworm, Starman, and I head off the top of Mt Henry with me in the lead. Though even here I push myself to go just little bit faster than I normally would so that I don’t slow the other two too much. I’m so grateful to have Bookworm back even though they were only gone for one day and even though I know our trio can’t last. As I focus on my footing on the steep decent I listen enamored as Bookworm and Starman chat aimlessly with each other. My heart is full to bursting to hear my best friend and my partner getting along so well. This morning Bookworm doesn’t speed off ahead of us and seems content enough to walk my slower pace. We chat as the trail winds down, down, down into the so little you might miss it town of Yaak where we’ll pick up our resupply box, eat a burger, and then tomorrow climb right back out.
Marveling at the miracle that is being indoors we wake to find that our soaking gear has dried in the night. More glorious still is that the storm has blown away with the wind and left us a beautiful blue sky day with bands of clouds nestled peacefully in the valleys below.
Bookworm, Starman, and I head off the top of Mt Henry with me in the lead. Though even here I push myself to go just little bit faster than I normally would so that I don’t slow the other two too much. I’m so grateful to have Bookworm back even though they were only gone for one day and even though I know our trio can’t last. As I focus on my footing on the steep decent I listen enamored as Bookworm and Starman chat aimlessly with each other. My heart is full to bursting to hear my best friend and my partner getting along so well. This morning Bookworm doesn’t speed off ahead of us and seems content enough to walk my slower pace. We chat as the trail winds down, down, down into the so little you might miss it town of Yaak where we’ll pick up our resupply box, eat a burger, and then tomorrow climb right back out.
I’m enjoying following along. You capture the trail very well. Stay dry!
The fire tower looks like a wonderful backcountry hotel and a good respite from the rough edges of Nature. Rain and wet gear can certainly take its toll even in small doses. It seems time is flying by as usual.
I enjoy reading your posts. How about a few more pictures? Love Dad.
I never realized that you’d have to wear gloves when using trekking poles. Makes sense. Plus good protection if you happen to take a face plant. Hopefully that doesn’t happen too often.