Tuesday September 4, 2001- Tounge Mountain Range
*I'm an idiot, and forgot what order I am going in, so now I am going to start from the begining.
Check out the date. The only thing eventful that fall was that I was not going on my trip across the country, so instead I chose a solo overnight on the TMR. While I was lacing up two older fellas, John and John, life-long friends, got out of their car next to me. They had the same idea.
I wanted to be alone, so I shot off on the trail ahead of the Johns and quickly burned myself out. I stopped and sat down, pack and all, and passed out. I don't know how much longer afterwards, I was awakened by the Johns, coming at me. I hopped up again and started my hike. Here's a bit from the journal:
- Checkpoint one- first shelter between Brown Mountain and 5-mile Point Mountain.
I hope I was right about leaving the hardest part behind me. Trail was rather disheartening so far, doubts about the sanity and scope of my trip filtering in. I've never done something this long. Hope for smooth sailing here on out. Had "to the death" battle with big creepy fly. Tough sucker. Saw a wilting aster, fall is on its way.
Several hours later after pushing on because of a creepy couple and their dog seemed to want the privacy of the leanto on 5th Peak I had a affirming moment:
7pm- I take it all back. From the Junction South I have seen the most beautiful views. More than I ever imagined the sky cleared, beams of light like a hand reached from the sky and turned the water to gold. I heard the screech of an eagle and a pair of hawks eyed me before moving. Nothing compares to this.
Then I roughed it down a steep, dangerous trail looking for place to stay.
As soon as I got into the valley... I scouted out the closest flat land I could find. I threw the tent up, moved my gear inside and put up the bear line. After looking at the map for a few minutes I fell asleep.
Reinvigorated with my nap, I second guessed myself with that incline. I would have been in big trouble had I slipped. To boot- excuse the pun- my big toe was sticking out of one of my timberland boots. I had dinner and went back to sleep. Something huge was clearing its sinuses somewhere nearby, which kept me up in the middle of the night.
By 3:30 that afternoon I was on the dock at Montcalm Point. But not without some difficulty. Next time I will bring more water. I emptied out on the last up hill, and the afternoon sun was baking me. I stopped to take a break and these two yuppies flew by me with their cross country ski poles and I was sure gallons of water in their packs. I was too proud to ask for help.
I made it down to the point and drank treated lake water- happily. I had made it over the hardest part. The only thing left was the 5 miles out on pretty flat land. I had taken my knocks though.
So far I've rolled both ankles, have a bum knee, and my legs are shaky as hell... hope to God the old guys have water or are smart enough to turn around. I was miserable."
I should have stayed with the Johns, who I ran into at the point. They had hiked the crazy-steep shot down to 5 Mi Pt. to get water, and then back out. They were doing something I'd never heard of- sleeping in hammocks. They were light to carry and there were plenty of trees to string them between. I would have liked to stay, I had plenty of food, but I told everyone I was just staying over night. I didn't want rangers rousing me out of my tent because my mom was worried.
I trudged on, limping like crazy. I don't know what I was thinking, my car was way on the other side of the range, and it would be getting dark soon. I even got out my flashlight when it seemed like I would be hiking in the dark. Not 5 minutes later I emerged from the woods. Another couple that was just out for a walk had caught back up to me, and I asked them for a ride to my car. My victory dinner was spoiled because ATMs across the country were out, and I had no cash. My entry that night shows how beat up I was:
The TMR is just about the hardest thing I've ever done. I just made it out... I didn't get my big meal or even a beer in celebration of my accomplishments. I finished my water from Montcalm Point and drove home sore.... Next trip I have to steele myself for the challege coming up next rather than ignore the middle and focus on the end. The TMR is the most beautiful place I've ever been, rugged and wonderous.
Check out the date. The only thing eventful that fall was that I was not going on my trip across the country, so instead I chose a solo overnight on the TMR. While I was lacing up two older fellas, John and John, life-long friends, got out of their car next to me. They had the same idea.
I wanted to be alone, so I shot off on the trail ahead of the Johns and quickly burned myself out. I stopped and sat down, pack and all, and passed out. I don't know how much longer afterwards, I was awakened by the Johns, coming at me. I hopped up again and started my hike. Here's a bit from the journal:
- Checkpoint one- first shelter between Brown Mountain and 5-mile Point Mountain.
I hope I was right about leaving the hardest part behind me. Trail was rather disheartening so far, doubts about the sanity and scope of my trip filtering in. I've never done something this long. Hope for smooth sailing here on out. Had "to the death" battle with big creepy fly. Tough sucker. Saw a wilting aster, fall is on its way.
Several hours later after pushing on because of a creepy couple and their dog seemed to want the privacy of the leanto on 5th Peak I had a affirming moment:
7pm- I take it all back. From the Junction South I have seen the most beautiful views. More than I ever imagined the sky cleared, beams of light like a hand reached from the sky and turned the water to gold. I heard the screech of an eagle and a pair of hawks eyed me before moving. Nothing compares to this.
Then I roughed it down a steep, dangerous trail looking for place to stay.
As soon as I got into the valley... I scouted out the closest flat land I could find. I threw the tent up, moved my gear inside and put up the bear line. After looking at the map for a few minutes I fell asleep.
Reinvigorated with my nap, I second guessed myself with that incline. I would have been in big trouble had I slipped. To boot- excuse the pun- my big toe was sticking out of one of my timberland boots. I had dinner and went back to sleep. Something huge was clearing its sinuses somewhere nearby, which kept me up in the middle of the night.
By 3:30 that afternoon I was on the dock at Montcalm Point. But not without some difficulty. Next time I will bring more water. I emptied out on the last up hill, and the afternoon sun was baking me. I stopped to take a break and these two yuppies flew by me with their cross country ski poles and I was sure gallons of water in their packs. I was too proud to ask for help.
I made it down to the point and drank treated lake water- happily. I had made it over the hardest part. The only thing left was the 5 miles out on pretty flat land. I had taken my knocks though.
So far I've rolled both ankles, have a bum knee, and my legs are shaky as hell... hope to God the old guys have water or are smart enough to turn around. I was miserable."
I should have stayed with the Johns, who I ran into at the point. They had hiked the crazy-steep shot down to 5 Mi Pt. to get water, and then back out. They were doing something I'd never heard of- sleeping in hammocks. They were light to carry and there were plenty of trees to string them between. I would have liked to stay, I had plenty of food, but I told everyone I was just staying over night. I didn't want rangers rousing me out of my tent because my mom was worried.
I trudged on, limping like crazy. I don't know what I was thinking, my car was way on the other side of the range, and it would be getting dark soon. I even got out my flashlight when it seemed like I would be hiking in the dark. Not 5 minutes later I emerged from the woods. Another couple that was just out for a walk had caught back up to me, and I asked them for a ride to my car. My victory dinner was spoiled because ATMs across the country were out, and I had no cash. My entry that night shows how beat up I was:
The TMR is just about the hardest thing I've ever done. I just made it out... I didn't get my big meal or even a beer in celebration of my accomplishments. I finished my water from Montcalm Point and drove home sore.... Next trip I have to steele myself for the challege coming up next rather than ignore the middle and focus on the end. The TMR is the most beautiful place I've ever been, rugged and wonderous.
posted by Dan-O-Mite | 10:16 PM
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