Chapter 10
@mycrazyadventurescalledlife
Mile Marker 128.6 to 139.3 (10.7 miles)
"Highs and Lows of Thru Hiking"
Going up Snow Mesa
On the PCT, Blis and I talked about how our mental attitude while hiking is like that of a wave. Thru hiking after all is not all sunshines and butterflies like what you see in most social media posts. It is a Type 2 fun kind of adventure.
It came up when we both noticed that Caitlin and Indigo were feeling a bit down lately when we were in Northern California on the PCT. They seemed to be in the bottom, while we were towards the upper half. But, just like a wave, it will go up, and it does.
On top of Snow Mesa with Baldy Cinco in the background
Today was definitely on the bottom of that wave. I felt it since the Colorado Trail joined the Continental Divide Trail. Which is ironic because I was so ecstatic to finally be on the CDT section because it is one of the long trails in the country that could possibly be in my future. Being part of the Colorado Trail, I get a chance to see if I wanna do it.
Perhaps it's the combination of things. I've been feeling stuffy lately, so breathing is not the most optimal. I've been finding myself breathing a lot harder and stopping often on uphills, at elevation say, 11,000ft. I'm working super hard and not very efficient with my energy usage.
Rain in the distance
I'm so glad that I rested my body for two days in Lake City, because I needed it. Today, I got back to the trail fairly early in the morning. But the sunny, blue sky weather was quickly over before noon. I could see the thick, dark clouds on my right, which then turned into rain and lightning. It's still a bit far but going in my direction. My pace quickly got faster. Then another one just ahead of me, towards the left. It got dark quick, and occasionally I could hear thunder coming in all directions.
View from the saddle looking north, thunderstorm not far
An unexpected Nero on trail, sorta
Trying to outrun thunderstorms is exhausting, physically and mentally. Around 2pm, at a stream, I suddenly felt worn out. I cooked some ramen to cheer me up. A SoBo hiker asked if I was okay and I told her I just feel tired. I couldn't even think straight. After finishing the ramen, I felt even more tired. I hiked another 100ft to the beaver pond and pitched my tent. I crawled inside, unrolled my Gossamer Gear thinlight foam pad, and laid down. I think that was the first time I actually took a nap on a trail, any trail.
Later that day, the sun came out and the weather turned out to be great. However, I could not take advantage of it. I still felt tired. I wanted to do another 5 miles but my mind resisted. So I finally unpacked everything and got settled. I needed a mental rest from everything; just inside my tent, alone, no distraction...
A sort of Nero on trail was nice.
End of Chapter 10