Just 13 miles today, but tough ones on the knees with some steeeep downhill. I stopped at a ranger station after the first nine for a few hours to let the heat of the day go by. Now this station really seemed to be in the middle of nowhere – sure there were power lines connected, but the running water wasn’t working and it was just the one ranger there, a lovely guy named Todd.
After a few hours hanging out he got back from whatever errand he was running and brought me two cold Cokes and a couple rice crispy treats. It was the way he did it that was so special, just a hey are you a through hiker, do you want these, two minutes of polite chit chat and off about his business. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
I also met a hiker who is trying to do all three major through hikes in one calendar year – he’s already finished the AT and part of the CDT and was clocking 35 mile days around this area. It’s always remarkable how much smaller these guys packs are than mine, given I actually have been using everything I’m carrying. Ahh well, more power to em.
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