3 Highlights:
- Phone calls with mum and dad, Pjotr and Erik, Bessy, and family.
- Passing by hot springs.
- Finding water on a side trail.
Daily Summary:
- Distance hiked: 40 km
- Starting point: Whitehall
- Ending point: On top of Ramshorn Mountain
- Weather conditions: Sunny and rainy
Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings):
The day began with what can only be described as a “Pitufo moment.” An urgent bathroom need hit while I was in the middle of town. I packed up some gear in a panic, only to find the nearest portapotty locked. Sweating and increasingly desperate, I finally dashed into a diner, but not before it was too late. A rather humbling start to the day back on the trail.
Most of my hike was on a flat dirt road for the first 28 km, which then transformed into an uphill climb of 1000 meters over the next 12 km. I enjoyed some lovely phone calls in the morning, but soon began to feel the weight of my backpack, the pain in my feet and toes, and bouts of a very high pulse despite the flat terrain.
Passing by a beaver dam, I noticed the water steaming and realized it was a hot spring. Tempting as it was to take a dip, I pushed on after hydrating at a nearby river. As the road started to climb the mountain, I paused for a late lunch around 3 PM and saw two northbound hikers who looked incredibly strong. The dirt road offered beautiful views as it ascended.
I found a small water source near my planned campsite and set up camp early, before 7 PM. A good call, as I was thoroughly exhausted. Now, it’s raining heavily, and I probably should have set up my tent more securely as water pools on top. A challenging but rewarding day back on the trail.
