Day 5
12.9 miles / 60.6 total
Steps: 33,816
Bubbs Creek
Days without shower 6
Woke up about 6:30 today and started to pack up. It's so cold in the mornings. Forester pass was about 5 miles and my motivation was I really needed to make it up before the storms. It was a pretty steady climb out of Tyndall creek then, you can see the steep switchbacks. I stopped at the creek just before climbing to filter water and have a quick snack. I was getting a little worried because the storm seemed far away but there was lightning. I headed up the switchbacks and the main thing that kept me moving was the storm. Every time I would hear thunder it would be a reminder not to stop. I would look out and see the lightning and do the count between them. It seemed like it was coming my way. I typically like to stop at the end of the switchbacks and catch my breath but today was very different. I was surprised to see so many people hanging out at the top when the storm was approaching. One side of me wanted to take it all in and get some pictures but the fear of storms kept me going. Luke caught up pretty quickly and I grabbed a quick picture of the sign and we headed back down. It still socked me that people were still heading UP in the storm when we could see lightning and hear the thunder. I was wondering if I was just being paranoid or maybe this was something they were used to after being on the trail this long. Even when I said that storm looked worse on the other side most people didn’t seem to care. The down was LONG!!! It was about 4 hours all of downhill. I was planning on doing about 13.5 today but found a camp site pretty close to the creek that looked good and my feet were starting to hurt. It also was on and off raining from about noon and I was ready to be done once the rain held up a bit to get set up and stay dry! I was really craving a shower or something but the creek was so cold. I washed my feet off and soaked them as long as I could but could not urge myself in all the way. I got some extra water and heated it up in my JetBoil for a sponge bath! It was wonderful but I am still DREAMING of a real shower!
The next pass doesn't look too bad on the map and I think I'll be able to make it up and over before lunch. Hopefully have lunch at Rae Lakes and maybe a swim up a little farther at Arrow or Dollar Lake because those ones look smaller which should mean not as freezing I think. I still haven't jumped in a lake yet and my hair is NEEDING a rinse/was so bad. If I don't I may heat some water again and wash it out tomorrow afternoon.
I've been hiking with Luke since late on my day 2 and tonight we decided we would part ways in the morning. I have enjoyed his company and camping with him around. He wants to challenge himself to more miles than I want and I want to be on my own for a bit. I think it will be good. I am sure I won't be alone for the remainder of my hike and it will be good to meet other crazy people out here. I'm excited for what is to come. The sun is setting and it's starting to get cold. I think we can have fires where we are staying but not 100% sure, so passing on that and I'll likely be in bed by 8.
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