Well, one form of motivation to hike quickly is weather. There was plenty of it today. I woke up to rain, and as I am still learning how to master my new equipment, the take down process this morning was long and wet.
The rain continued for a while, and as I climbed to a higher elevation, the wind picked up quickly. As it got colder, the rain turned to sleet, then hail, and eventually snow. It was cold, wet, and windy for a good portion if the hike. As my hammock was still wet, my options were to aim for a shelter or to aim for a hostel, which sounded very appealing. It was 15 miles, which was definitely doable, but the bad weather made it seem a lot longer.
I stopped for a few minutes at the shelter, where Impact had started a fire! It was an awesome few minutes, steam emanating from my body. I had to brave the cold again for another five miles to reach the hostel.
I’m here! It’s a work-in-progress sort of hostel. I was told only floor space was available, and the shower did not produce water, but hey, there’s heat and dry surfaces, and that is worth it to me.
It was a rough hike. Despite the crazy weather, I am still enjoying myself and my new gear. The tarp I showed yesterday. I also got some new titanium stakes and a silk sleeping bag liner. It is awesome because I can add warmth to my sleeping bag or use it solo if it is super warm out.
Also, I got these!
Another hiker makes them. They’re called Trek Pouches and are exactly what they sound like – pouches for your trekking poles. They provide easy access and move the weight from the pack to the poles. So far, I am pleased with them, and they lasted pretty well through the humidity of today. And they are 100% from the USA! sweet!
Also, I have been talking to some fellow explorers recently who have blogs of their own. Here are a few:
A friend who will be hiking/hitching his own trail
Check them out if you have time! Dinner is soon, so I will write more later.
Human Living 