13 June  2022

I was up and out if bed by 5 30, my fellow hiker Jader was also up .I stripped down my tent before making tea and instant oats. Okay lets go.
I waved goodbye to jader and headed out ,there was a bit of a sketchy stream to cross then I was away.  Oh there were really  good tent spots this side too.!
I made my way through a dismal forest then the climbing began ,AT style straight up. Omg it was steep I pushed and stopped for breath and repeated until I was up, bloody hell that was a climb. The trail now meandered through the hillside but dead ahead I could see a fine line up a mountain. Omg that’s a big climb . It wasn’t long until I started , as I climbed the wind came a vicious wind that knocked you from side to side . Down below I could see jader start, he will soon catch me .

I was really struggling on this section and the wind wasn’t helping. God it was steep, as I neared the top Jader caught and passed me, before noticing another hiker below. Where did he come from.?
At last I was at the saddle but as i crossed over the wind was even worse. I couldn’t stand so quickly crossed over the other side. But it was no better, the wind pushed you into the hill  and when it stopped you almost fell over until it blew again. 
I was heading down v, but it was steep and gravel so very slippery.  The other hiker passed me and sped off. God knows how people do that. In the distance I could see a trail junction, one  went calmly  down the side the other went up.  Guess which is the Cdt. Ha ha.
I was nearing the bottom and saw that jared had stopped so joined him for a break. He was saying  that we had climbed 2500 feet and had about another 1000 to do…. wonderful I thought.
Jared took off and in 10 mins I followed after him, the small hill in front  turning into another endless giant.  After that it was another meandering trail  but again in the distance was another huge climb up yet another mountain  I could just about make out Jader nearing the summit omg more climbing.
I chugged up that one and as I went over that saddle I could see Jader far below me ,but heading to start yet another large climb. Really I said  to myself is  that all we are doing today just climbing. I was a bit annoyed with this section but the trail is the trail 
At last I had finished that climb and began to head down , REALLY ?
Yes it is . I zig zagged through rows and rows of my favourite  plant  but these had been cut back so no scratches or swear words. 
I began to follow the river down the mountain and would follow it for about 4 hours through numerous forests. At 1pm I decided to take a break as now my big toe was giving me grief
I took off my shoes and socks to air my feet before wrapping my big toe and the next toe.
Okay lunch I delved into my bag and began to munch.
I was back on trail and almost walked into a moose. luckily he wasn’t aggressive and just bolted  for the trees. Sorry wasn’t quick enough with my camera but 5 minutes  later I spied another. He was a  bit far away but I  got some video.
Now I’m feeling chuffed as I continue on down the trail, its hot, bloody hot . I have water in my bladder but some ice cold water is what i desire. At the next stream I stop and grab a bottle, I glugged half and I’m ready again. 
The hours are ticking  by and so are the miles but I’m feeling tired and my left foot is hurting. I really wanted to push on while the trail is flat but my foot doesn’t  want to play  . I am about a  mile from the trail head ,okay I will camp there as there is water.
I soon arrive at the water and fill up both bottle’s.  It’s not  long until  the Trail head appears, I walk through as at the far end are drop toilets  and a place to camp.

I soon have my tent up and begin cooking, Later a couple of hikers pass by. God wonder where they started. Well I think it was a good day shame I’m so slow on the climbs but 17 is not bad

Mileage  17