Hi all,
I'm flying back to Asheville from Bozeman tomorrow.
Time and money (lack of both!) ends this adventure earlier than I'd like, but I have 900 miles of Montana to look forward to. The CDT lives up to its reputation as the toughest of the big three and I have loved every bit of it. I hiked through some gorgeous places with really cool people for 2000 miles and can't wait to come back!
In a couple days I'll write more and post some pics. I hope y'all enjoyed the blog!
Cheers,
Scott
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Thursday, July 31, 2014
The Great Basin & Into the Winds
"Compadres, it is imperative that we crush the freedom fighters before the start of the rainy season! And remember...a shiny new donkey for whoever brings me the head of Colonel Montoya."
--C.M. Burns
Hello! T-Bone here in Pinedale WY, a good resupply for the rest of the "Winds" and into Yellowstone. I've connected with my cousin Memento and his friend Abandoner.
As expected, the trail went downhill (quite literally) from Bridger Peak into the basin. And it was hot, flat, dry, and actually good for big miles, despite sketchy water and
we did three 30 plus days in a row, then 23 into Atlantic City where we enjoyed an amazing stuffed burger!
The "we" in this instance was Chili & Pepper( a father-son duo from Florida) and me.
I enjoyed a zero in Lander after 21 straight days and ate a pizza each night at the brewpub. They make a decent IPA. Maybe I regained a pound?
Ten trail miles out of Lander, we gradually ascended into Bridger Teton Wilderness. I took an alternative route through the Cirque of the Towers!
--C.M. Burns
Hello! T-Bone here in Pinedale WY, a good resupply for the rest of the "Winds" and into Yellowstone. I've connected with my cousin Memento and his friend Abandoner.
As expected, the trail went downhill (quite literally) from Bridger Peak into the basin. And it was hot, flat, dry, and actually good for big miles, despite sketchy water and
we did three 30 plus days in a row, then 23 into Atlantic City where we enjoyed an amazing stuffed burger!
The "we" in this instance was Chili & Pepper( a father-son duo from Florida) and me.
I enjoyed a zero in Lander after 21 straight days and ate a pizza each night at the brewpub. They make a decent IPA. Maybe I regained a pound?
Ten trail miles out of Lander, we gradually ascended into Bridger Teton Wilderness. I took an alternative route through the Cirque of the Towers!
The pants live on!
No shade, little water
Monday, July 21, 2014
Pics
OK, looks like the next good maildrop is:
Togwotee Mountain Lodge
PO box 91
Moran, WY 83013
(That's USPS)
At Rabbit Ears Pass
A bit threatening
My black magic: cold Via!!
Trail shared with motorized vehicles.
Git'er dun!
Repair time....these are nearing retirement.
Wyoming
Wyoming and Gear Talk
Greetings from the library in Rawlins, WY. It's 140ish trail miles from my last stop, and my total is 1400 (?) miles hiked...I wish I could be more exact, but it's almost impossible to know just how far I've come. That said, I'm pleased with my progress even if I deplete my funds or run out of time before the Canadian border. It's 50 days until I must return home for Pam & Brennan's wedding!
First off, BIG thanks and shout outs:
--Rick "Superfly" Melzer for taking great care of me in Steamboat Springs, CO. It was so cool reconnecting with an old hiking buddy and good friend, and Steamboat is a sweet little town. I'll be back!
--Barbara and Jack: many thanks!!
--Big Agnes for replacing my tent under warranty (amazing products and service)
--Pat for another great care package
--Outdoor Research for replacing my broken gaiters
--Pox & Puss Podcast (check it out if you haven't)
Conditions changed quickly after crossing the border: lower, hotter, dryer. Amazingly, things shifted just as quickly as they had when I crossed from New Mexico into Colorado...borders may be a geopolitical construct, but it seems that each state on this trail has its own character. As expected, the hiking is a bit easier and I intend to log bigger miles for the next stretch. Currently I'm suffering from a mild case of PCSD--Post Colorado Stress Disorder. Not surprising, given CO's spectacular scenery, fantastic hiking, and really cool towns. But soon I'll be in the Wind Range and Yellowstone!
Now I can finally talk about gear. At the outset I was determined to utilize equipment I already own in order to keep costs down and USE some stuff that has languished in the basement for quite a while. Here's what I had:
--Gregory Baltoro pack (used on PCT, but didn't fit after crazy weight loss so replaced with Osprey Atmos 65)
--Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 tent (used on PCT)
--REI Sub Kilo sleeping bag (11 years old, used on PCT)
--Thermarest Ultralite sleeping pad (ten years old, used on PCT)
--Mountain Hardwear Moab pants (4000+ miles and counting! must fix tear in seat!)
--Jetboil cooking system (ten years old)
--Darn Tough socks (some used on PCT, the best socks out there!)
--Outdoor Research gaiters (used on PCT)
--Black Diamond trekking poles (used on PCT)
--Lowa Zephyr boots (used on PCT)
--Mountain Hardwear down jacket (a gift from good friend Rob)
--Cheap multi-tool (thanks Dean!)
New stuff:
--Royal Robbins desert shirt
--Salomon X-Scream trail runners, my fourth pair of shoes on this journey. They've been great since Leadville.
--Sawyer Mini water filter
--Military-ish bucket hat (got in Silverton after old one literally blew off my head!)
--My one electronic device: Casio Commando 4G LTE smartphone. It's my computer, GPS, music player, camera, etc. It will take a beating if not the best pics. I keep it going with a Power Monkey solar charger (thanks Second Gear!)
Here's the thing: I'm a dinosaur. I seem to have the biggest, heaviest pack out there. People have even remarked that I don't look like a thru-hiker. ha!
For the next leg, I have decided to go "stoveless" and sent my cookset ahead along with some clothing and other things. This chopped a lot of weight and bulk from my pack. If it doesn't get used everyday, I shouldn't be carrying it! So dry food it is....I'll letcha know how it works out from Lander.
Body update:
Something always hurts!
All right all right y'all. Time to upload some pics from the phone and get out of town. Lander is Fri/Sat if you wanna send a package priority, I'll figure out what's next.
Cheers,
T-Bone
First off, BIG thanks and shout outs:
--Rick "Superfly" Melzer for taking great care of me in Steamboat Springs, CO. It was so cool reconnecting with an old hiking buddy and good friend, and Steamboat is a sweet little town. I'll be back!
--Barbara and Jack: many thanks!!
--Big Agnes for replacing my tent under warranty (amazing products and service)
--Pat for another great care package
--Outdoor Research for replacing my broken gaiters
--Pox & Puss Podcast (check it out if you haven't)
Conditions changed quickly after crossing the border: lower, hotter, dryer. Amazingly, things shifted just as quickly as they had when I crossed from New Mexico into Colorado...borders may be a geopolitical construct, but it seems that each state on this trail has its own character. As expected, the hiking is a bit easier and I intend to log bigger miles for the next stretch. Currently I'm suffering from a mild case of PCSD--Post Colorado Stress Disorder. Not surprising, given CO's spectacular scenery, fantastic hiking, and really cool towns. But soon I'll be in the Wind Range and Yellowstone!
Now I can finally talk about gear. At the outset I was determined to utilize equipment I already own in order to keep costs down and USE some stuff that has languished in the basement for quite a while. Here's what I had:
--Gregory Baltoro pack (used on PCT, but didn't fit after crazy weight loss so replaced with Osprey Atmos 65)
--Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 tent (used on PCT)
--REI Sub Kilo sleeping bag (11 years old, used on PCT)
--Thermarest Ultralite sleeping pad (ten years old, used on PCT)
--Mountain Hardwear Moab pants (4000+ miles and counting! must fix tear in seat!)
--Jetboil cooking system (ten years old)
--Darn Tough socks (some used on PCT, the best socks out there!)
--Outdoor Research gaiters (used on PCT)
--Black Diamond trekking poles (used on PCT)
--Lowa Zephyr boots (used on PCT)
--Mountain Hardwear down jacket (a gift from good friend Rob)
--Cheap multi-tool (thanks Dean!)
New stuff:
--Royal Robbins desert shirt
--Salomon X-Scream trail runners, my fourth pair of shoes on this journey. They've been great since Leadville.
--Sawyer Mini water filter
--Military-ish bucket hat (got in Silverton after old one literally blew off my head!)
--My one electronic device: Casio Commando 4G LTE smartphone. It's my computer, GPS, music player, camera, etc. It will take a beating if not the best pics. I keep it going with a Power Monkey solar charger (thanks Second Gear!)
Here's the thing: I'm a dinosaur. I seem to have the biggest, heaviest pack out there. People have even remarked that I don't look like a thru-hiker. ha!
For the next leg, I have decided to go "stoveless" and sent my cookset ahead along with some clothing and other things. This chopped a lot of weight and bulk from my pack. If it doesn't get used everyday, I shouldn't be carrying it! So dry food it is....I'll letcha know how it works out from Lander.
Body update:
Something always hurts!
All right all right y'all. Time to upload some pics from the phone and get out of town. Lander is Fri/Sat if you wanna send a package priority, I'll figure out what's next.
Cheers,
T-Bone
Friday, July 11, 2014
Homestretch of Colorado!!
Hey peoplesliver m about to leave Grand Lake and skirt RMNP. The last week was tough but bee-yoo-tee-full with a crazy traverse of the front range where I had to bail and jump into my tent quickly!
Next town is steamboat, then Rawlins WY in about 9-10 days.
Cheers
T-bone
Next town is steamboat, then Rawlins WY in about 9-10 days.
Cheers
T-bone
New shoes & gaiters....
Marmot pose
Stormy day!
I got to use my hands!
See the sliv
Thursday, July 3, 2014
A 14er, some 20s, and over 1000
"And for this cantankerous cacophony of collisionous cogs and camshafts, take that!"
--Charles Montgomery Burns
Hey y'all,
I have taken a zero in Leadville, CO., the highest incorporated town in the USA. My right knee has been acting up so I haven't yet summited Mt. Elbert as planned. The hostel is incredible and tonight I cooked some wild sockeye with a garlic soy stir fry. This mmorning I dumped turkey sausage, eggs& cheese in a pan, ate, shared, have some for tomorrow am.It's a real treat to get to cook real food.
Last week i bagged San Luis peak and strung ttogether a few 20+ mile days...just a couple days ago I crossed the 1000 mile mark! Very cool, although it means I have a lot of miles to go.
--Charles Montgomery Burns
Hey y'all,
I have taken a zero in Leadville, CO., the highest incorporated town in the USA. My right knee has been acting up so I haven't yet summited Mt. Elbert as planned. The hostel is incredible and tonight I cooked some wild sockeye with a garlic soy stir fry. This mmorning I dumped turkey sausage, eggs& cheese in a pan, ate, shared, have some for tomorrow am.It's a real treat to get to cook real food.
Last week i bagged San Luis peak and strung ttogether a few 20+ mile days...just a couple days ago I crossed the 1000 mile mark! Very cool, although it means I have a lot of miles to go.
Storms arise quickly....nearby lightning had me crouching on my foam pad!
Summit snickers! First 14er in a few years.
Aspen
Still some corniced snow around.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
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