3 Highlights:
1. Tram and bus ride with fellow hikers.
2. A McDonald’s feast with Gabe, Phil, Granite, Rocky, and others.
3. Dinner in Jackson with Joleen, her son Martin, and the hikers from the past few days.
Daily Summary:
• Distance hiked: 31 km
• Starting point: Alaska Basin
• Ending point: Teton Lookout Tram
• Weather conditions: Mixed
Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings):
Today started with a blunder—an early navigation error added an extra 4 km to my day, just as the rain began to fall. My night’s sleep had been poor, so I felt every step of the extra distance. Despite the slow start, I managed to find an alternate route leading to a mountain tram. The thought of cutting some distance was appealing, especially given how tough the climb felt today. By the time I reached the tram at 3185 meters, I was worn out. The tram ride down was a relief.
I grabbed a quick cortado before catching a bus to Jackson. The bus ride was comical in a way—seven hikers crammed into a small space, all of us smelling worse than we realized. The rest of the bus was clearly holding their breath.
Jackson greeted us with its usual charm and expense. We made a beeline for McDonald’s, where I indulged in burgers, nuggets, milk, a McFlurry, and a decaf. Conversation centered on how outrageously expensive Jackson is—$300 a night for a hotel and no tent camping allowed in town.
Granite and I hit up REI for some supplies before receiving the fantastic news that we could stay at Lip Balm’s friend Joleen’s place. We resupplied, grabbed some flowers as a thank-you gift, and met up with the rest of the hikers. I bought way too much food, as usual—$83 worth and probably 5 kg, which should last me three days. Bessy called during the resupply, and we talked about her possibly joining the hike. But planning for that would have to wait—I was too tired.
An Uber took us to Joleen’s house, where we helped cook a taco dinner. Barefoot entertained us with guitar and singing, adding to the good vibes of the evening. After a much-needed shower that left my hair looking like a troll, I invited Joleen and her son to try some cocoa beans. It was a fun night, but now, as midnight approaches, I desperately need some rest. Night night.
