Day 6- 8/21/18, 17.5 mi, 3658.5 elevation
Jefferson Creek mi 77.9 to High Ridge east of Breckenridge mi 95.4
Georgia Pass and The day it rained
Today we hiked up over the mountains to above treeline for the first time on the trail. Georgia Pass is like a gate of sorts to the higher elevations that you see for the rest of the trail. It was beautiful with massive views both east and west from the saddle. As we were up there we got caught by the first rain to really hit us and it came with a vengeance and Rouge got caught on the pas in it. She was shaken by the storm. I was just off the other side hiding in some trees. It got cold and hailed on us too. Welcome to the Continental Divide! We only intended to go about 13.3 mi today, but with the cooler weather we stayed on the move to keep warm. We climbed down off the pass and just kept walking past the Swan River and its forks. We could have camped down by the river, but there really wasn’t many good places and quite a few people. We took the hill by the trees so to speak, and busted out the last monster (1000ft+) of a climb. It was nice that it was cool to do the climb instead of hot b/c it was a real butt kicker and it seemed to just go on forever! I think we were just ready to get to the top! We finally did. Ha! Only 8.9 mi in the morning to Breckenridge!!! In the morning we pass 100 miles! Woo Hoo! That’s like 20% done ha! I guess I’ll take it and look forward. Onward to pizza, peaches, hot showers, dry clothes!
Most thankful for …. my rain jacket, rain skirt, and rain mitts. The rain was off and on all day. Cool or cold with a cold breeze. The rains of fall. We walked to keep warm.
I saw God today….. this morning coming out onto Georgia Pass. The view is amazing. It was cool and breezy up on the pass. And heavy clouds soon came at us bringing waves of rain that lasted the rest of the day.
What I ate for supper…ham soup with cabbage and chicken. Peach tea and a snickers. It was hot, and I ate it cooking from my sleeping bag out the tent door which I never do! I was chilled though, and it was the perfect way to end the day.
Quote of the day….We are in beast mode- we need a team name! -Michaela this said as we pushed up the last steep climb that seemed to go on for forever.
What I learned today… that the best way to deal with cold rainy days is to suit up and keep moving.
Most favorite part of the day… Georgia Pass as I took in the view and talked to Casey.
Least favorite part of the day…toward the end when it was cold, rainy, and uphill for forever and ever…
Most useful gear of the day…rain gear, warm sleeping bags and hot drinks
Food of the day…snickers and hot drinks
Song of the day…Holy Spirit sees to be stuck in my head. It seems to have a good walking rhythm!