Miles: 10.25
Camp: CDT mile 791.25
Elevation: 12250 feet

I made a point to get up and out the door for breakfast before anyone could join me. It was all I wanted for the day, some time to myself with my favorite meal of the day. I had banana pancakes and sausage and couldn’t even finish it all! The pancakes were huge and delicious, I was a happy bunny.

After finishing the last of my town chores I joined Slingshot, Right On, Cowboy Stripper and Cloud for lunch. We got our fill of burgers and fries and then decided to get out to hitch back up to the pass. Before we even made it to the curb a nice man was asking us about our trek. His son is currently on the PCT, so I used a technique called ‘Yogiing,’ to get him to offer us a ride…and it worked! He had a truck big enough to fit 6 of us and we all got a ride up to the trail just like that. The trail provides.

We started the day thinking we would hike 5 miles, which increased to 7.5 by the time we hit trail. Then, 3.5 miles in we realized we were making great time despite hiking over 13000 feet, at which point we decided to make it a 10 mile day (after 1:00). We only have 33 miles to the next town, so this will certainly turn into our shortest leg of the whole hike. I guess we could have skipped Silverton, but it was worth it.

Now we are camped 23 miles from Lake City with our eyes on bigger miles tomorrow. We feel so much stronger, our packs are lighter and the snow is becoming less of a blanket. We usually have snow patches we can get around, though occasionally we still do some serious postholing or slush shoeing. It’s becoming easier now that the San Juans are ending…and I look forward to seeing what else Colorado has to show us.

Dinner: cous cous with salami, coconut oil, garlic and mushrooms.

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View from my tent tonight
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View from the loo