CDT Day 102 (8/28/23)
Miles 2455 (Red line 2799.4)- 2486.4 (Red line 2830.8) (31.4 miles)
Verbatim
Check to see if the life water, was it life water? I tore the wrapping off the bottle because it fell off so quickly, is made of recycled plastic. I think it is… I think I remember that from the wrapper. Anyways, that water bottle is already pin holing. I don’t remember where I bought it, but it wasn’t long ago at all. I guess maybe recycled plastic is weaker than fresh plastic! This bottle will soon be moved to the back of the pack. haha.
Also, I’ve refurbished my trekking pole. Not sure if that made it into the journal. I used duct tape from High Divide Outfitters and then more I found in that random yurt. I taped all the major sections except one. I should have taped all of them because that 6” section still frays and bends under pressure. At least it holds up my tarp without fraying!
Today had lots of burn zone. Which honestly really sucked. Walking burn is so much less comfortable. There were also signs today about the upcoming Sydney fire, an active fire at the first ten days of the month. I pressume it’s out now, because there’s no smoke in the sky. But there’s a reroute, obviously, along trails 155 and 154. Then a road walk. Except, my topo map doesn’t show or mention obscure trail numbers. It just has lines for the CDT. So, I’m not quite sure where 155/154 are. I’ve decided I’ll just walk to the closure point and will figure it out from there. I think that makes sense. But, have I passed those trails?
In other news, I talked with an outfitter group who had three guests out in the backcountry. There were two horse packers and eight horses. Two guides and three hikers. Apparently there were lots of cancellations last minute. It looked like a terrific time. Horses, people excited to be outside, and light packs! I was happy to talk with them for a bit. The two older folk were very curious about my experience, and applauded me for going out while I was young. I’m happy it was such a positive experience. It was really nice to see people.
I listened to two good podcasts today. One was about the battling narratives about the origins of COVID-19; natural transmission from animals in the wet market of Wuhan or a lab break in the corona virus lab on the outskirts of Wuhan. The other podcast was about the rise and fall of China’s ancient Han dynasty. :)
Post Note
I really enjoy talking with older people out on the trail. They’re so calm, interested, and interesting. They’re just so happy to be out still. I think this enjoyment was so palpable because I was spending so much time alone. But, whenever I talked to older people it always seemed like a really positive interaction. Out of the really deep feelings of bleak despair I was feeling shown these illuminating moments. Life wasn’t good on the CDT. The day by day emote was really negative. Waking up to walk unhappily each day was daunting. But then, randomly and without prediction, there would be some older and wiser person staring me in the face saying something that sounded kind of vapid to me (but I’m sure was really heartfelt for them to say) like “you’re so wise to be walking out here before commitments” or “do it while you’re young kid”. And then I would return and say something I really really meant (though I imagine it sounded pretty vapid to them) like “Well thanks. But I think it’s inspiring that you haven’t given up the dream either. Look at you being sixty-eight and being out here. Now THAT is cool”. Those moments were the reason for any sort of willingness to have hope for brightness in the day.
I think what I’m trying to articulate is my awareness of, and appreciation for, the unique position that being a thruhiker gives one to build into others around you. I think, and I’m unsure of this because it all seems so normal to me now, that people perceive thruhikes as this majestic and laudable experience of a lifetime. Maybe it is! I guess it is? I think it is. Why else would I do it? But I’m always surprised to see the way people look at me when then inevitably ask if I’m walking the CDT and then ask if I really did come all the way from Mexico. Their eyes go wide when I tell them it’s only been 100 or so days and I walk about 25 miles every day. I realize, in those moments, that I have a unique opportunity to build into someone. I’m pretty sure they’ve given me, consciously or not, this pedestal position in their mind and now I can use that honor to tell them how wonderful and good and beautiful and deserving of love they are. I try to say those words with my eyes even as I say something fluffy like, “No, you’re cool!”.