If I rated days out of 10, I’d probably be averaging around an 8.5. There’s be a few 3’s in there, definitely a lot more 9’s and a handful to 10’s already - today being a stand out 10/10. I woke up happy. It’s the best way to wake up. Pickleback waved me off with … Continue reading Day Sixty Six: 1329.8 – 1356.7km
I just about got into a fist fight with Jimminy Cricket today. She thought the Golden Stairs were overrated. Okay no fists. We’re still friends. But our words were passionate, and opposing. I had been having a moment of such pure gratitude as I walked down those stairs into the pine forest that I thought, … Continue reading Day Sixty Five: 1307.7 – 1329.8km
“Bear! BEAR! THAT’S A BEAR! THERE’S A BEAR!” I had been having a quiet morning conversation with Nemo as we all slowly woke up, but I jumped up so flipping fast - barely stopping to pull on my shoes as I ran towards the flash of brown I’d just seen. “Wizard WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! … Continue reading Day Sixty Four: 1287.2 – 1306.7km
I don’t think I’m exactly taking this hiking thing seriously anymore... I mean, we didn’t start until 11:30AM this morning. I skipped up some of the trail. A couple of hikers heading the opposite direction remarked with a laugh, “You’re way too happy to really be hiking this!” But honestly, how can I not skip, … Continue reading Day Sixty Three: 1269.9 – 1287.2km
It’s good to be back. After so much time off, I was dreading walking again. I was more than a little worried about Kearsarge Pass - although beautiful, it is a crazy climb. We’d just resupplied as well, so loaded down with a weeks’ worth of food and staring up at a four hour climb … Continue reading Day Sixty Two: 1269.9 (+ 12.2km)
I’m almost embarrassed even to write it... We’re still in town. BUT I PROMISE WE LEAVE TOMORROW MORNING! It’s just - it’s Fourth of July. Which, yes, means we’re on our fourth zero, but it’s the Fourth of July! This basically doesn’t count. We needed the first zero for rest, the second for resupply, then … Continue reading Days Fifty Eight – Sixty One: ZEROES
I know I’ve had a lot of good days out here. The standard has been set high. I’ve gone from desert wastelands to rocky mountains to bubbling creeks. I’ve touched the Mexican-United States ‘wall’, walked just about thirteen hundred kilometres from there, and climbed one of the country’s highest mountains. Even so, I think it’s … Continue reading Day Fifty Seven: 1245.8 – 1269.9km (+12.2km)
I reckon every day has something special to offer. Sometimes it’s like a treasure hunt and you have to search for it (admittedly, I don’t always find it), but sometimes it’s served to you on a silver platter. Today, I had that something special served to me in ziplock bags, by some very special people. … Continue reading Day Fifty Six: 1234.4 – 1245.8km
The Prodigal calls it ‘Type 3 fun’. He explained: Type 1 is fun to do and fun to remember, eg. playing with a puppy Type 2 is fun to do and not fun to remember, eg. a big night out at a bar... Type 3 is not fun to do, but fun to remember, eg. … Continue reading Day Fifty Five: Mt. Whitney
‘The Great Bishop Shakedown’ It’s all I can think about, as we go up and up and up today. My mind has been made, and Jefé and Pickleback are right on board (as is everyone else): we’re going to give me a nice big shakedown. Like, a really nice big shakedown. I can feel all … Continue reading Day Fifty Four: 1212.9 – 1234.4km
IT’S MY BIRTHDAY! 😁 (Here, in America.. Because I know for my Australians it happened yesterday. Time zones, right?) And it’s been an absolutely beautiful day. Maya woke me up with a cup of coffee. Thibaud - who left KM sometime after Jefé and I but hasn’t been seen in two days - caught us up. … Continue reading Day Fifty Three: 1195.7 – 1212.9km
A blur of climbing, tears and a growing hiker family is how I’ll remember today when I look back on my last day of being a twenty seven years old. I am not used to this elevation. Dario told me repeatedly, “Don’t worry; in a couple of days you’ll be used to this and feel … Continue reading Day Fifty Two: 1166.8 – 1195.7km
Well, it wasn’t the best day, but it also wasn’t my worst. I got up early to try and catch M&D - Jefé and I didn’t get too far last night, and without reception or any way of contacting them I really had no idea how far ahead they were. With the rivers and the … Continue reading Day Fifty One: 1134.1 – 1166.8km
I really could have done with two full zeroes. I probably should have, to be honest, but trying to stick with Maya and Dario is higher on my priorities than rest right now. I love those two! Dario gave me the biggest hug yesterday as I arrived and cried out my disappointment. Brad, the Prodigal, … Continue reading Day Fifty: 1130.1 – 1134.1km
