I don’t know what time Benjamin Button hiked out today, but I heard some rummaging around 0430. He tends to get up real early so it could have very well be him. When I hiked out at 0700, he was long gone. This has been the coldest morning so far on trail. I started hiking in my thermals, rain-pants, puffy, windbreaker, beanie and gloves, and did not take any of it off until 1130.
Winter is coming…
It was a gorgeous day though, with magnificent views. Blue skies and hardly any wind made for very comfortable hiking as soon as I stepped into the sunshine.
When I changed into my shorts and hiking shirt, Matt passed by. I’d met Matt somewhere in the desert section of California, the day we passed the hot springs. He was there when I almost stepped onto a rattlesnake after returning from filling up my water bottles. He had gotten off trail for a month, and had caught up to the our bubble now having covered the same distance we have. Safe to say, he can crush some miles.
I found myself very entertained by an album that I downloaded to my phone when I was in Trout Lake. It is a duo-album by Sting & Shaggy, which I found a very peculiar combination. The music is mostly reggae and quite light and easy to listen to. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would have!
I caught up with Matt around lunch time, and we had a great chat before he started cruising on again. He is meeting a buddy of his, several days North up the trail, and given the projected mileage he has to do to make that happen, I don’t expect I will see him again.
The second half of the afternoon, a strain in my left shin started playing up. I figured this is just one of the many pains that act up every once in a while, since I don’t recall any activity that specifically could have caused it. It became quite a nuisance however, and slowed don’t my pace. I got annoyed because with every step I would feel it, and I just wanted to enjoy my surroundings, because the terrain I was hiking through was stunning.
The last 4.5 miles would take me up and over Cispus Pass, and the terrain leading up to it had some stellar views. Jagged mountain peaks which reminded me of the Dolomites, appeared and spread across the horizon. I felt a real appreciation for Washington’s beauty.
Other than having a chat with Matt, I ran into 2 groups of elk-hunters today, completely dressed in camouflage attire, carrying their bows. All of them were very kind, and they told me a little bit about their hunting trips. I have not encountered any elk on or along the trail yet, but apparently they are around.
After descending from Cispus Pass, I hiked in the final sun-rays of the day, ready to get to the campsite. I stopped briefly to fill up my water for the night, and to put on my puffy, beanie and gloves again, making for very comfy and warm hiking during the last hours. At this stage I felt tired enough, looking forward to be in my tent to give that nagging feeling in my shin some rest.
As I was pitching my tent, Big Bro showed up and joined me in camp. He was soon followed by Ratatouille and Bingo, and tomorrow morning we’ll hike the following section together. Fingers crossed that the inflammation subsides some during the night. I expect it to be another crisp one. Full winter-gear on in my sleeping bag.
Sweet dreams!
Straight from jamdung to London
Ragga muffin weh wi say (Hey)
Style a style an a pattan a pattan
Didi donia (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Shaggy and Sting ina combination
Wake up to sunshine in di morning
What a beautiful feeling
Me hear the birds them singing
Way up ina the tree limb
Me get a call from the Englishman say him wan come hold a vibes
Him wan run left the cold fi ketch some island life
44 to 876, at the drop of a dime
Link up anytime
44 to 876, call the airline
Fly out anytime
I’m trying to free my mind, and live a life stress free
But the politics of this country are getting to me
I have a dream that I’m swimming in the Caribbean Sea
And then my good friend Shaggy says
“Come spend some time, family”
44/876 – Sting & Shaggy feat. Morgan Heritage and Aidonia
