Like Riding a Bike

July 27, 2014 at 1:56 pm · Filed under Pre-Hike

It’s funny how you get remotely close to the trail and the concept of sleeping in becomes somewhat nonexistent. It probably didn’t help that the sun was beaming in the windows at 6:00am, which subsequently became the time to rise. After we packed and re-packed our packs it was breakfast time. We went with a number 2. This means 2eggs, 2 bacon, 2 French toasts, sausage and potatoes. You see they are use to catering to thru-hikers.

Now that we filled up it was time to grab a shuttle with A girl Named Sue. Sue drove up to the trailhead and we immediately started going up, and up and up!

This is about how the day went. We went up and then we went down and then we went up to go back down. It is kind of like riding a bicycle in that we fell right back into our natural pace. This would have been fine under thru-hiking conditions, but we were back to our green selves and the roller coaster of a day didn’t exactly help. Either way there were some great views and we couldn’t have asked for better weather.

Since we got somewhat of a late start it seemed like we were never going to get to the shelter. It’s funny how I can vividly remember a lot of the twists, turns and bends of the trail, but really couldn’t fathom how the shelter just wouldn’t reveal itself around the next bend. We had a rough climb up the base of Barren mountain and after a snickers and a partial cliff bar we finally made it. Speaking of snickers, my brother and I packed in 12 king size snickers to give out to the thru hikers. We only donated two to the cause, but they were quite excited so it made it worth-while. If we have to eat the rest I suppose it won’t be so bad.

Once we got to the shelter at cloud pond we quickly donned a swimsuit and slipped gingerly into the frigid pond. It was a bit slimy, extra slippery and certainly cold, but also refreshing and much needed after the sweaty climbs we endured throughout the day. Next it was onto pad Thai for dinner, another snickers for dessert and hot coco with a side of bourbon for a night cap. Oh yeah!

We are breaching the hour of hiker midnight seeing as the sun is now down, so until tomorrow.

Loving Life

Pictures didn’t drop in where I wanted them but that’s alright. Enjoy!

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