Mile: 602 to 616.
Today I saw the light. We hiked 14 miles, but I hardly remember them. Adam and I spent the first seven discussing our future. Then we chilled at a nice water source chatting with Jetpack and Dayhike about small business. For the final seven miles, I zoomed along behind Dayhike, talking politics the whole way; thank you Dayhike, that seven flew by! Dayhike is trying to convince me to be a social liberal and a fiscal conservative. I'll let you know if he persuades me (ha!).
[Hardway the backcountry bar tender, packing up in the morning, artsy trail markings, relaxing midday at the water source, Purple meadow!, and again!]
We arrived at a water cache, which we had been assured would be good to go by the trail angel who maintains it. When we arrived, it was clear that the water was nearly gone, and we jumped into action filling as many of our containers as possible, knowing the rest of the crew would also need water, and we mean WATER - we had the biggest carry (42 miles) ahead. After a frantic moment of hoarding resources and contemplating if this is what the end of the world would be like, we set up camp along a ridge, electing to cowboy camp for the first time (sleep under the stars without a tent). We slept in a line, giddy like kids as we made food and watched the sun set. Dayhike said, "Wow, I really feel like I'm on this earth right now!"
I can't say I slept well, but I did feel ALIVE! I'd had a day of hiking that actually felt... Easy. This whole week I've been repeating a mantra c/o Pleasance, a role model of mine. "May I be happy. May I be safe. May I be healthy. May I live with ease." That last one feels the most significant. As I become agitated climbing uphill and getting out of breath, I think "May I live with ease." And it reminds me to slow down, not to panic, not to fight it but go with the flow. When I consulted Adam about my growing anxiety around uphill climbing, he simply told me to slow down. Probably something I should consider in other aspects of life.
I tossed and turned, coming in and out of sleep. The stars were breathtaking - the Milky Way clearly visible. The moon rose late, and we were awake to see the bright crescent float above the mountains. I suddenly had that moment I've been waiting for: that feeling of "I'm here."
[Fey and Dayhike talking their way home, The water cache!, Woodstock had a treat to give us some courage for cowboy camping, Fey Fire, Sleeping in the divot!, Spearhead with the fire]
